Cleaning Fire and Smoke Damage in Poughkeepsie Properties

9/14/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage is not something that is easily cleaned up. Contact SERVPRO for professional services in your home.

Fire Damage Cleanup Solutions for Your Home 

Those visiting the Queen City of the Hudson might be surprised at this city's unique history. As one of the older segments of Dutchess County, Poughkeepsie, this is currently home to more than 30,000 people. A population like this lends a lot of leeways for small businesses and local eateries to gain a stable foothold, which can be seen with spots like the Foxhole Deli, The Academy, and Hurricane Grill & Wings. Similarly, the unique placement of the town and its connection to American History has allowed several prominent institutions to find stability, including Marist College, Vassar College, and the Dutchess Community College.

History is what the community is most recognized for, which is what makes fire and smoke damage in Poughkeepsie such a concern. The city limits have five central historic districts, each with multiple properties protected by the National Register of Historic Places. These districts include Academy Street, Balding Avenue, Dwight-Hooker Avenue, Garfield Place, and Mill Street-North Clover Street. In addition, remarkable feats of architecture are found throughout the city to attract thousands of tourists, including the Bardavon Opera House, constructed in 1869.

Cleaning Up Smoke Damage

Cleaning up after a fire loss event can mean focusing on multiple ways smoke damage impacts your property. These can include:

• Soot – Soot is a deposit of smoke solids on surfaces. The residue is corrosive and destructive, so we use emulsification and dissolving techniques with solvents and detergents to manage these threats.
• Compromised Air – We can use HEPA air scrubbers to manage airborne contaminants a fire loss creates.
• Odors – Combustion burns many materials, some leading to overwhelming smells. Deodorization practices are critical in fire recovery.

Our fast arrival helps to protect historic structures throughout the city. Still, we are also Large Loss specialists to work with the area's most substantial facilities like the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, Barrett Art Center, and the Poughkeepsie Galleria. Fire and smoke damage does not have to destroy your home; call SERVPRO® of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550.

Fight Hyde Park Fire Damage with Experienced Help

4/13/2023 (Permalink)

Effective clean-up and remediation are needed when fire damage affects your Hyde Park home. Contact our certified SERVPRO technicians for services.

SERVPRO Helps After Hyde Park Fire Damage to Restore Properties 

Fire damage can have a more significant impact on homes and businesses than many property owners realize. Some commercial loss incidents can be so severe that the company never reopens, so having fast, reliable, professional restoration is critical to returning to preloss conditions. SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County provides a full-service approach to repair and recovery.

There are dozens of possible causes for fire damage in Hyde Park homes, so the related restoration approaches change to suit these varying circumstances. Our primary objective is mitigating loss and protecting the structure in the earliest stages, incorporating our helpful balance of experienced technicians and general contractor license available 24/7.  

Mitigating Fire Damages

A reason for our continually growing and learning roster of fire damage restoration professionals is the urgency of loss incidents. Combustion leaves volatile environments that require immediate action to prevent more significant damage, structural compromise, or personal harm. The availability of our rapid response team ensures that we have qualified and certified technicians ready to help with:

• Temporary Structural Work - Board up and tarping services are often needed, making our general contractor license a beneficial accreditation for emergency services. We seal over structural vulnerabilities and provide any urgent utility repairs.
• Fire Debris Removal - Debris removal describes the physical actions to remove the heaps of ash, blistered building materials, and soot throughout the structure. Removing these harsh byproducts of combustion allows for less concentrated soot and odor damage during the subsequent fire cleanup and smoke remediation steps.
• Content Relocation - The team works to determine the best course of action with exposed personal belongings, furniture, and household contents. If the items can be relocated to a safer area on the premises, this is desirable against the pack-out process to move these objects to our nearby SERVPRO facility.

Smoke Damage Remediation 

Several pressing concerns exist with removing post-fire smoke damage from the property. Smoke can spread rapidly in a structure, even penetrating porous materials to be a more severe obstacle for restoration professionals working to resolve the problem. Depending on the type of smoke damage, restoration can take starkly different paths. Some of the usual compositions of soot and smoke damage seen on surfaces include:

• Wet Smoke - Smoldering fires produce thick and challenging moist residues on surfaces. Because of the composition of these soils, solvents and detergents are needed for emulsification and dissolving.
• Dry Smoke - High-heat fire loss events produce a thin, chalky film after several fuels are consumed during combustion. Dry cleaning methods can often be an efficient approach.
• Grease/Protein Residues - These types of soils result from kitchen fires directly correlated with cooking. Grease fires specifically can be violent and get quickly out of control. Nearby surfaces can be coated with a thick protein residue that requires solvents to address.
• Furnace Puffback Soils - Oil furnaces are a standard installation for their efficient heating of Dutchess County homes. When micro-explosions occur in the ignition chamber, ionized and moist soot damage can be propelled through the ducts into connected rooms.

Capable FSRT-Certified Professionals

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification set many industry standards governing expected results and quality restoration work. Through coursework and education provided by this organization, we have effectively trained multiple members of our roster to know how to rapidly manage several facets of fire damage restoration and recovery, including:

• Surface cleaning
• Soot removal
• Content cleaning
• Air quality improvement
• Structure drying
• Repairs

Fire damage in Hyde Park properties is unexpected and destructive, but SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County has experienced FSRT-Certified professionals to help. Call us today at (845) 635-4550.

Rely on Experts for Fire Damage Restoration in Hyde Park

3/14/2023 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County rapid response team is available 24/7!

Fire Damage Restoration in Hyde Park is Better with SERVPRO

Fire damage is frightening in various ways. Apart from the danger, there’s a negative impact of structural damage and potentially expensive repair bills. It occurs because of the flames, smoke, and other corrosive substances a fire emits. 

Fire damage restoration in Hyde Park is a multi-step process that is best left to certified fire, smoke, and soot damage repair professionals. Over several decades, SERVPRO has built a reputation for handling complex fire damage repair projects with responsiveness, quality, and speed while delivering great value. Each fire scenario necessities a unique restoration plan. However, some steps in our repair process are fairly consistent, and they include the following: 

• Determining the severity of the destruction.
• Isolating affected areas.
• Removing the water and drying the damp areas.
• Removing smoke residues.
• Cleaning and sanitizing.
• Rebuilding 

During a fire, smoke, as well as soot particles, settle on surfaces and adhere to them. Restoration involves eliminating those soot residues. Our SERVPRO technicians do not rely solely on machines to complete this job phase. Cleanup involves manual labor because of the attention to detail required in the execution. We can clean up the affected areas thoroughly. 

After the cleanup, our team can use an Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) mister to deal with odors. It works by atomizing liquid deodorization agents, mostly water-based agents, producing a mist that is fine. The particles can penetrate many areas where smell-causing residues accumulate, including crevices and cracks. Our SERVPRO crew can use air movers to ensure the deodorant particles remain airborne for longer. We can also perform sanitization using EPA-approved antimicrobial products. 

Our SERVPRO technicians are skilled in different construction areas and can restore your property to how it was before the fire. Various construction processes commence restoring different parts of a home. We can pay special attention to the drywall, electrical wiring, roof, and flooring, among other areas. 

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County can make fire damage seem “Like it never even happened.” Contact us for effective repairs at (845) 635-4550.

Prevent Fire Caused by Lightning

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

If you are dealing with smoke or fire damage from a recent fire, call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County to learn about a restoration solution for you

Prevent A Fire In Dutchess Caused by Lightning

You know it is essential to prepare fire safety supplies and a fire emergency plan to protect your loved ones, but even a well-practiced plan could be changed by the weather immediately.

Lightning was the source of close to 70,000 damage claims during 2020, and it strikes nearly 6,000 times every minute all around the world. Protecting your Dutchess home from fire damage is a must when the risks are so high, and no one is immune.

What Is Lightning?

When an electrical current between the ground and the clouds in the sky forms, it creates a giant spark called lightning. Lightning happens during thunderstorms and occasionally during volcanic eruptions, extremely hot forest fires, and heavy rounds of snow.

Lightning threatens during more than just severe weather as well. Dry lightning is an event that occurs without rain and creates a risky scenario since it can start a wildfire. Different threats happen at other times of the year, making it wise to stay prepared for strikes all the time.

Protecting Your Home From Lightning Fires

Lightning has the potential to start a fire and do a substantial amount of damage when it strikes. A fire that originates from lightning most often begins in the attic or upper walls and starts either because of the extreme heat or an electrical surge that results from the strike passing through your home.

You may not know a fire has started right after a strike, but you should hear the strike hit your home. If a loud boom seems to shake the windows, look at the walls and check your attic for black marks and the smell of smoke. Give the fire department a call, and after all, is cleared, let an electrician check your electric panel and wiring.

To give your home a layer of protection, consider adding a lightning rod to your roof. This device will take the shock of a strike and divert both the heat and the electrical current into the ground instead of into your home.

A surge protector for your entire house can also reduce the risk of a surge that results from a strike. This can be added to your central electric unit and offers a significant layer of protection for your electrical appliances and aid in preventing fires.

When Lightning Strikes Nearby

Each year, an average of 9,000 wildfires are caused by lightning, and with the high heat that a strike carries, these fires often are a threat to broad areas as they burn hot and quickly.

Protect your home by keeping your yard clear of dry vegetation and debris. Think about creating defensible zones with your landscaping, too. This can keep the fire away from structures if one does start.

Make sure there is a working smoke detector near every sleeping area and every level of your house so you can move to safety no matter where you are.

If your home is damaged during a lightning strike or a resulting fire, call SERVPRO 24⁄7. We have the experience, equipment, and training to finish your recovery quickly.

Have you experienced smoke or fire damage in your home? Call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County today at (845) 635-4550 to get the restoration finished fast.

Is Fire Damage in Your Poughkeepsie Bedroom Causing Nightmares?

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

Our team is always on call to quickly respond to your fire damaged home. Call us today!

Cleaning Bedroom Fire Damage in Poughkeepsie 

Fire damage leaves numerous issues for homeowners, primarily when it occurs in a bedroom. This area is the one room in the home where people want to relax and not smell reminders of the fire that happened. 

When fire damage happens in a Poughkeepsie bedroom, SERVPRO technicians begin work immediately to find items with restoration potential. Items too charred for recovery through cleaning get photographed and logged for ease of filing insurance claims.  

Older Mattresses are a Fire Hazard

Suppose the homeowner purchased the bedroom mattress before 2007. In that case, there is a good chance it does not meet current Federal Mattress Flammability Standards regarding flame retardant materials used in the construction. When a mattress receives smoke or charring effects, it is considered a loss and removed off-site. 

Avoiding Repainting Through Cleaning

Depending on the type of smoke residue left behind, painted walls may have restoration potential and not require repainting, saving homeowners the cost of hiring painters. The specialized professional cleaning agents include solvents to release the grip of wet smoke residues on surfaces. They remove dry smoke by the light application of dry-cleaning sponges to avoid driving the soot into the paint. 

When there is no visible damage to the walls, but odors are present, SERVPRO technicians can apply sealants before repainting the walls, so the homeowner does not have to deal with a wall tear-out and reconstruction.  

Upholstered Items and Window Treatments 

These items are not necessarily lost when they are exposed to heat and smoke. When a fire travels throughout a bedroom, the hot air expands and drives odor-causing soot into porous objects. When SERVPRO technicians neutralize odors, they use the same principles when they utilize thermal fogging equipment. 

Fire damage needs fast action to minimize loss. Call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550; the certified technicians are available 24/7 to clean up and restore any fire loss and make it "Like it never even happened." 

Remember These Precautions When Lighting a Backyard Fire

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage, contact SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess today.

Backyard Fires Cause Damage In Hyde Park

Sitting around a backyard fire with your family is a great way to spend a summer evening. S’mores, scary stories, and hotdogs are just a few activities you can enjoy around the fire.

Backyard fires can be useful for enjoyment, preparing meals, controlling insects, or clearing yard debris. However, even the most contained fires still have their hazards. The National Park Service states that around 85% of wildfires are ignited by humans.

Wildfires create fire damage in heavily forested areas of Hyde Park. The leading cause of these outdoor fires is improper open-burning, which leads to the spread of flames.

Of course, you can still burn your debris, light your tiki torches, toast your marshmallows and grill your burgers if local laws permit. As long as you practice proper fire safety measures every time you burn, you can still enjoy your backyard fires and prevent the spread of flames.

Recreational Fire Hazards

Every open flame comes with its own set of hazards, but barbecues, campfires, fire pits, and fireworks are some of the most prevalent causes of outdoor fires. Grills are responsible for around 8,800 home fires each year, usually due to improper usage. Before firing up your grill, check the propane tanks and gas lines, and always supervise your grill even after you’re done using it.

When creating a campfire, locate it in a safe spot away from buildings or vehicles, and only use a match or lighter to ignite the flame. Once your campfire is burning, make sure to only use wood to fuel the flames and never leave your fire unattended, even after you’re done roasting marshmallows.

Fire pits are a simple way to create a camp-like feel in your backyard, but this equipment should be used with the same precautions as a typical campfire. If your fire pit is movable, make sure to place it away from an area with an overhang and off of wooden decks.

While it may seem easy to get rid of construction or yard trimmings, you should only burn approved firewood.

If you plan on celebrating with fireworks, set them off in an open area and give them room to land away from trees, vehicles, or other debris. In Mahopac, some fireworks, like wood-based sparklers, are legal, but firecrackers and cherry bombs are not. Even though the 4th has already passed, ensure to only light legal fireworks when celebrating.

Other Outdoor Fire Hazards

Fire and explosive materials can still be put to good use, even with their hazards. In the fall, if your yard collects many leaves and you don’t have a street pickup or garbage disposal option, burning your debris might be the only way to keep your yard tidy.

Before burning anything, make certain local authorities allow you to burn debris in the first place. Stay aware of any burn bans and apply for a permit if necessary. In Mahopac, a burn ban has been put in place until further notice, so you should refrain from burning until given the green light.

We all use our sheds or garages to store materials like gasoline, but irresponsible storage can have a disastrous impact. Only keep your gas in approved containers and store your container in an area where kids are unable to reach it. It would help if you only used gasoline for its intended purpose. If you’re having trouble lighting that campfire, don’t turn to your gasoline can for help.

Before lighting any outdoor fire, check the local weather forecast and your area‘s regulations. If conditions are dry or if winds are severe, reschedule your campfire and save your marshmallows for a better day.

And if your home is impacted by an outdoor fire, contact our experts at SERVPRO. Our team has experience restoring fire-damaged properties and can repair your home as quickly as possible.

Burn safely outdoors. And save some chocolate for us! If you have experienced fire or smoke damage, contact SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550 today to get restoration started faster.

How to Schedule Fire Restoration at Your Hyde Park Property

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage? SERVPRO is prepared with restoration equipment and experienced technicians.

SERVPRO Skills Manages Hyde Park Fire Repair Better

Your home may resemble a war zone after fire as items and debris are strewn everywhere. In many cases, the confusion you experience hampers fire restoration than the damage extent. Having a clear plan for your Hyde Park home can save time and money.

Planning fire restoration for your Hyde Park homes involves several aspects, including direct and indirect ones. Suppose you focus only on the immediate damage. In that case, the indirect issues can interfere with the solutions you identify, thus messing with the outcome. SERVPRO overcomes this challenge by providing teams with separate responsibilities. Our restoration technicians handle the work while the crew chiefs handle management, including any indirect issues. 

Crucial actions to facilitate fire recovery

• Notify relevant bodies like insurance FNOL
• Secure the property 
• Remove hazards
• Cleanup and rebuilding 

Many people dread placing claims with their insurers because of stories about other homeowners running into problems. The issues most people face can be traced back to the planning, especially notification about the incident and documenting the loss. Letting the insurer know about the fire loss immediately ensures they can send an adjuster in good time. Our SERVPRO crews work closely with the adjusters for quicker approvals, especially when determining salvageable and unsalvageable items. We also keep better records by taking several photos and videos.

Securing Property After A Fire Loss

Although fire causes extreme damage, the property still needs attention. Taking care of any hazardous conditions should be a priority. As fire consumes materials, it can leave hanging ceilings and power cables that can pose hazards. Holes in walls or the roof are also standard. Our SERVPRO technicians strip down all debris and damaged utilities. Large, wheeled trash cans are crucial for organizing such materials. Planning eases other fire restoration procedures such as cleaning.

Necessary cleaning procedures

• Capturing residues by vacuuming
• Dissolving residues with cleaning agents
• Extracting residues

When SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County handles fire restoration, soiling is addressed "Like it never even happened." Call us at (845) 635-4550.

SERVPRO Understands Fire Damage Restoration Risks in Poughkeepsie

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

The damage looks minimal, but professionals always look for hidden dangers. before restoration begins. Call us today to restore your home.

How SERVPRO Addresses Risk-Filled Situations While Working on Homes with Fire Damage in Poughkeepsie 

At our initial arrival to a customer's residence in Poughkeepsie, we check the extent of the destruction experienced by the disastrous event. We also check the safety of the structure and make a note of any immediate, although temporary, changes we must implement to make the area safe for us to carry out our activities.

We quickly survey each property in Poughkeepsie slated for fire damage mitigation and restoration work. We pay close attention to debris that can cause numerous problems. These can cause someone to trip and fall. Additional debris might soon come loose from overhead areas, primarily if extensive damage occurred to ceilings below storage or occupied house areas. Debris might come from a mix of personal belongings, furnishings, or structural components damaged during the fire.

Wet areas on the floor can lead to someone slipping. We assess the water source because if it comes from overhead (broken pipes, opened roof, a saturated upper story from firefighting efforts), cleaning it up may only suffice for a short period. It can also mean that electrical wiring now poses serious shock hazards in specific areas. Hanging wires from opened areas of ceilings in rooms and closets can become serious problems if the electrical current still is active in parts of the property.

On the other hand, a lack of electrical power can lead to areas that remain dimly lit, even during daylight hours. Locations like this still require our attention, but we also need to see while we work to do the job thoroughly and stay safe at the same time.

SERVPRO professionals learn how to solve such problems safely through both the training we receive and experience on each job site. Because each fire damage restoration project brings new skills, our teamwork means we learn from each other, also. Making things safe for work to begin happens as quickly as possible so it does not delay the work on your property.

Many of these fixes are simple to do but extremely important. Cordoning off the area directly below an opened-up ceiling can keep anyone from venturing into the area directly below. The same can help when water continues to trickle down from overhead onto tile floors. Dangling wires might need pulling back after cutting the power to the area. Bringing in our lighting fixtures and setting up a portable power supply can illuminate darkened areas needing restorers' attention.

Our building services crew assists us on these tasks, and many others, so SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County's mitigation and restoration professionals can quickly put your property back into its pre-damaged state, "Like it never even happened." Fire damage makes any home unlivable. Call us at (845) 635-4550 when your residence in Hyde Park, Beekman, or Red Hook needs experienced restoration professionals.

How Fire Damage Affects Contents in Poughkeepsie Homes

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

Let your local SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County professionals resolve your fire damage problems.

Rapid Fire Damage Mitigation in Poughkeepsie Homes

Some causes of house fires are usually accidental and can lead to significant consequences. Even a small fire can make your Poughkeepsie home unpleasant due to the smoke odor. There is no need to move out if only a portion of your house was affected. However, it is not safe to live in a house with fire damage, so rapid measures are necessary.

Assistance from experts on fire damage restoration in your Poughkeepsie home helps save as much of your content as possible. SERVPRO's quick response help to mitigate any ongoing damage and guide you through the cleanup process. We employ unique cleaning methods to ensure your home is properly restored.

The Kind Of Damage To Expect After A Fire

• Smoke odor
• Accumulation of soot and ash 
• Charring

Flames move from one item to the next, destroying everything in their path and leaving behind dense ash particles. Unlike soot, ash particles do not spread through your home due to density. Most household items are made from synthetic products, generating thick, black smoke when they ignite. The residue from that smoke permeates into surfaces and leaves a lasting odor. Smoke odors linger long, mostly in soft furnishings, and can prove difficult to eliminate through regular cleaning.

How Smoke Damage Affects Your Home's Contents 

Smoke has both short-term and long-term damage. A mixture of smoke, water, and ash can cause a corrosive element. This combination can eat away at metallic items. The result can range from tarnishing to absolute corrosion. Smoke damages, from small details like doorknobs and kitchen fittings to even the pipes in your home. Corroded pipes risk leaking and causing water damage. Smoke can also discolor your walls and other surfaces. SERVPRO helps assess the situation and discard everything that has been damaged before starting cleaning.  

Everyday Items Prone To Smoke Damage

• Curtains and upholstery 
• Bedding and clothing
• Electronic appliances

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County offers extensive fire damage cleaning services eliminating soiling "Like it never even happened." Call us at (845) 635-4550 to neutralize smoke odors and clean surfaces thoroughly with the latest industry techniques.

Commercial Damage Causes & How to Prevent Them

7/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess is your local commercial disaster team. Contact us to learn more about our commercial damage restoration services.

Business is the heart of our country, and it has been for all of our time. Every day, we are all utility companies and will likely visit multiple ones. As a business owner, you carry more than a plate full of responsibilities, covering the day-to-day functions and handling the extremes. And when one of those extremes is severe weather, the consequences can be a complete disaster.

Fire damage caused by natural disasters in Dutchess County is increasing steadily recently in the United States. Over the last five years, our country has experienced close to $153 billion worth of damage annually, which is substantially higher than in previous periods.

Our weather, while cold and snowy in the winter, can be quite mild in the summer. We do experience our share of severe weather as well, though, particularly flooding as the ice and snow melt.

While severe thunderstorms and heavy rains can also commonly occur, we can never rule out a later winter storm. This past May brought us a snowstorm that left up to six inches in some areas.

This late storm is a good reminder of why we should always be weather-aware to continually protect our businesses.

Water Damage

Water and moisture are both a major threat to businesses around the country. Damage from water can happen in a variety of ways, either from external sources like flooding or an internal source like an appliance failure. No matter where it comes from, a water disaster can cause chaos on a commercial property.

Exterior flooding, like that from a flash flood or an overflowing river, can seep through doors and the ground floor, where it can affect your foundation. If the space around your building allows it, you can use your landscaping to divert water away from your grounds. Flower beds, mulch, and even extra soil can build a barrier and protect your business.

Even a tiny drip can lead to water in your building, especially when it is allowed to leak for an extended amount of time. Check your plumbing regularly and watch for signs of water on walls and floors. Take a look at your ceilings and ensure no warping or discoloration Staying on top of potential weakened areas now can save you money later.

Storm Damage

Storm damage to commercial properties is extremely common. It can take out a single unit, a roof tile, or an entire community of businesses. Even a power outage or a downed tree can damage your business and keep you away from work for an extended time.

Powerful storms can rip off a roof or even cause structural damage that can be irreversible. These storms can carry winds of over 100 mph that can topple trees as if they were twigs and knock freight trucks over instantly.

You can limit damage to your building with a few upgrades, including updates to your roof and adding storm protective window covers. While these costly investments are highly effective, there are also low-cost ways to protect your business.

Check the seals on your windows and doors. Inspect your building regularly for weak areas and maintain regular maintenance to avoid costly repairs later. If you have space outside your building, clear debris and ensure furniture is properly anchored before a storm moves in.

Know Who to Call

Damage can happen to your commercial property in many different ways, but water and storm damage are the most common. These events can be devastating and force a long-term closure or, in the worst-case scenario, cause a complete loss.

The good news is that you have restoration professionals in your backyard. SERVPRO is available 24⁄7 to respond to any disaster you may face. Our team is ready to jump in with a plan and timeline, which means you get back to business.

If you have experienced damage to your business or want to learn more about our commercial damage restoration services, contact SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County today at (845)635-4550. We’re here to act fast.

Protect Your Home From Fire With a Few Easy Steps

7/5/2022 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged in a house fire, SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess is here to help. Contact us for any fire restoration need.

The American Red Cross has responded to more than 20,000 house fires already in 2022, and that only represents some of the total numbers of fires across the United States.

Smoke detectors will always be the best way to protect your home and your life, but there are other measures you can take to keep yourself safe. Even a simple cleaning is an act of prevention against fire damage in your Dutchess County area.

Clear the Clutter

Clutter may be something you battle daily in your home already. Still, when hallways, stairwells, and other small spaces become full of unused items, they pose a fire risk. Loose clothing and other cloth items fuel a fire and block potential exits.

Cloth items left near a water heater can start a fire when the water heater turns on. The more you allow your spaces to stay open, the slower a fire can progress and the safer you are able to exit in the event of an emergency.

Structure fires and kitchen fires are the highest occurring types of fire in our area, and since most of us live in smaller spaces that are densely populated, keeping your home clear of clutter is especially important. Pay particular attention to your outlets and appliances, and never leave cooking unattended.

Overloaded extension cords are also a common source of fire in the home. Clear out unused electrical appliances and unplug anything you don’t use frequently.

Always leave room between furniture and wall outlets to avoid overheating and allow for proper airflow.

Create a Defensible Space in Your Yard

Your yard can be the first defense in protecting your home from a fire that originates outside. Landscaping that is laid out intentionally can prevent fires from reaching your doorstep while allowing firemen to work.

Dutchess County experienced a significant brush fire in May that reminded us all of the extreme risks of wildfires we have in New York State. Creating defensible zones in your yard is a highly effective way to slow the progression of a fire. Some states like California have imposed regulations for zones in yards, but clearing out dead plants, leaves and limbs is wise for all of us. This doesn’t mean you can’t plant the annuals and bulbs you love. You can still have the yard that you want, but you have to keep it clean and protected.

Keep It Clean & Keep It Safe

Clearing your home and your yard is not the only way you can create a more fire-safe home. Clean your stove every few months and have your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year to eliminate risk in two other areas of your house.

Lowering your risks isn’t solely about deep-cleaning, either. Killing those dust bunnies hiding under beds and furniture is a great way to prevent fires. Pay special attention to dust around wall outlets and other electrical appliances. Our homes are so much more than a resting place these days. We work, play, and learn in our houses now, so take every step to prevent devastation from fire.

Contact us today if you have experienced fire damage or want to learn more about our fire damage restoration services. We’re here to act fast. Call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess today at (845) 635-4550.

What Should Homeowners do After a Fire in Poughkeepsie

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

Remediating fire damage has many layers, from soot removal to removing charred materials.

Tips for Poughkeepsie Homeowners with Fire Damage 

When fire damage occurs, there are often several layers of loss to deal with in the property. The charred fire debris, water cleanup, and smoke odor are the most common issues left behind after a fire. 

There are a few things Poughkeepsie homeowners with fire damage can do before SERVPRO technicians arrive on the scene. 

• Consult with the fire department responding to the call and ascertain if it is safe to reenter the home
• Open the windows to assist in ventilation of the fire loss areas in the home
• Do not attempt to wipe away soot; it has the potential to grind in the soil on fabrics and porous surfaces
• Turn off the HVAC to stop the spread of soot via the ductwork 

When our technicians arrive onsite to mitigate fire damage, we test the residue to determine the best cleaning methods to increase the restoration factor for building materials and possessions. We use multiple approaches for cleaning away smoke residue from surfaces. 

Air quality in the home is a big concern after a fire. SERVPRO technicians ventilate the work area during the cleanup, and we deploy air scrubbers to capture airborne soot particles. Even though we use containment and cover vents to stop soot spread, we inspect the ductwork and clean as necessary to remove any residual smoke odors. 

Through the practices taught by The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, SERVPRO technicians have training and access to specialized equipment to effectively remove smoke and soot from items. This expertise lessens the fire loss for homeowners and saves them from having to replace possessions. 

For fire damaged items that are a loss, our technicians fully document and photograph each phase of fire cleanup and items handled with before and after photos. This report assists in expediting the insurance claims process with proof of restoration services and possessions or portions of the structure that required removal. We work until the fire debris is cleaned up and, if necessary, prepped the residence for rebuilding or repairs. 

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550 serves the local area by providing restoration services 24/7 from fire damage. We're Faster to Any Size Disaster and arrive within an hour to restore your home's preloss condition.

SERVPRO Can Remove Smoke and Fire Damage in

3/17/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot damage quickly spreads throughout your home. Call us today for fast, effective remediation.

SERVPRO is Ready to Help With Red Hook Fire Damage 

Any fire in a Red Hook home can create multiple layers of damage. While these circumstances are often overwhelming, calling the professionals right away for help ensures excellent results. SERVPRO is available with proven methods for cleaning up after a fire wreaks havoc on your home. 

Homeowners dealing with fire damage in Red Hook are overwhelmed with the obstacles in front of them. SERVPRO has the certified technicians you need on your side to help with the cleanup process. We possess certification as Fire and Smoke Restoration technicians and have skills for odor control while using the latest equipment in the industry today. Such skills and equipment allow us to make a difference in the cleanup process to take the stress off of your shoulders. Once you call us, we can send a team out to manage symptoms like soot damage and lingering smoke odors. 

No matter the fire damage severity, odor control is a crucial phase for the restoration and recovery process. We have trained SERVPRO technicians with access to products and tools for deodorization. Combined with a vast knowledge of fire recovery, we get the job done quickly to restore your home to its pre-damaged state. These are some of the devices we employ:

Thermal Foggers – Fogger technology helps eliminate any lingering smoke odors in the home. Such machines are portable and easy for us to bring throughout the house to address odors both efficiently and promptly. The fogging product mimics the path of the heated air, which is transporting the smoke and soot. It, therefore, can interact with the partially combusted compounds with the embedded materials. 

Hydroxyl Machines – These units are used to eliminate or reduce any tough odors in your fire-damaged home. When in use, these units filter debris, particulates, soot, and dust that remain throughout the compromised areas of your home. These work very effectively in tandem with HEPA filtered air scrubbers. 

Do you need help handling the fire damage in your Red Hook home? With one phone call to our team at SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County, we can be there to get to work as soon as possible. You can reach us by calling (845) 635-4550 seven days a week, 24 hours a day!

All Fires Need 4 Components

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

If your home or business has any damage, SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess is ready around the clock to help you recover.

If we were to ask you right now what a tetrahedron is, could you answer without hesitation? Hey, we’re not judging, we might have to look it up, too!

Let us save you some time, though—it’s a three-dimensional, triangular shape with four equal sides.

Now that you know what a tetrahedron is, you should also know what it has to do with fire safety! There is something called a fire tetrahedron, which is a fancy way of saying that all fires need four components to survive. Without these elements working together, a fire can’t start.

Why Wait? With SERVPRO You Don’t Have To

12/17/2021 (Permalink)

If a fire issue pops up during the holidays, remember the trusted leader in the recovery industry, SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess.

Dean Koontz once said, “We are not born to wait. We are born to do.” This is a true statement, especially when it comes to things that affect your livelihood.

If your home or business is struck by disaster, it can become easy to get overwhelmed or frustrated, but the quicker you react, the better you’ll be in the long run. That’s why we are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week—and prepared for prompt action.

So, if a disaster or accident hits your home or business during the middle of the night on a Saturday, you don’t have to fret! Call us, and we will have a pro headed your way.

After fire damage. Fires are known for the big flames covering the entire building, but we sometimes forget that many other components come with fire.

Even if your possessions and house structure don’t go up in flames, other elements can damage significantly. For example, soot and smoke can coat everything in the house, sticking to walls and possessions and leaving nasty residue and odor.

Something else to consider? When firefighters extinguish a fire, they use lots and lots of water. That soaks your possessions and the structure of your building, which can turn into water damage if not removed quickly.

After water damage. Water damage of any kind or size requires prompt treatment. When water is left unmitigated for an extended period, it can quickly cause other significant issues. It only takes 48 hours or less before standing water.

While this all can be overwhelming, the truth is that it can be an easy fix. Call in the professionals and let them clean up the mess so you can focus on restoring your livelihood!

When you need help after a home or business disaster, fast service is a priority, and there’s nobody faster or more prepared than SERVPRO. Call us anytime to take advantage of our 24-hour emergency service.

Why Homeowners Need Professional Fire Restoration in Hyde Park

11/19/2021 (Permalink)

When fire affects your home, effective clean up and remediation is needed. Contact our certified SERVPRO technicians for services.

Expert Fire Restoration in Hyde Park from a Company Like SERVPRO Brings Things Back to Normal

It can be overwhelming to deal with the aftermath of a fire. Apart from the soot and smoke residue associated with fires, firefighting efforts might cause water damage. Do not wait long to address the fire damage because it can result in more extensive repairs. Restoring a home after a fire is a multistep process. To restore your home, you need the assistance of a fire repair company like SERVPRO that is trained in soot, fire, and smoke damage restoration.

To perform fire restoration in your Hyde Park home, our technicians can inspect your property and come up with a plan to return it to pre-fire conditions. The inspection process accounts for the extent of the destruction and determines the repairs that need to be done. We act quickly during this step because the longer soot, smoke, and water linger in a house, the further the damage they cause.

During the fire damage repair process, our SERVPRO technicians can address destruction to your property’s physical structure and materials like flooring, drywall, windows, and roofing, among others. Our fire restoration process may include these steps:

• Securing the property by installing fencing around it.
• Controlled demolition of heavily charred structures.
• Water remediation and dry out.
• Removal of smoke and soot residues.
• Rebuilding the fire-damaged areas.

Cleaning up and removing smoke damage is one of the most intensive aspects of fore restoration jobs. This step involves manual labor to remove soot and smoke from affected surfaces. The common cleaning action that our SERVPRO technicians use is loosening the soils, followed by suspending and dispersing them in cleaning products. We then extract the soils along with the cleaning products. Suspension occurs when soils dissolve in the cleaning products they mix with or when soils emulsify inside cleaning products they do not mix with. Our cleanup process also involves duct cleaning to eliminate any smoke, debris, or smoke that could have settled in ducts.

Following proper cleanup, our SERVPRO team can use deodorizing agents to remove smoke odors fully. To return the property to preloss condition, we can rebuild the fire-damaged structures.

The fire damage restoration process requires expertise. Call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550. We can make the fire incident seem, “Like it never even happened.”

Do You Know the Leading Causes of House Fires?

11/4/2021 (Permalink)

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO of NW & SW Dutchess is here for you if your home is affected by a fire.

As a homeowner, you take precautions to prevent any number of disasters and emergencies, with fire being among them.

But even after years of awareness campaigns, we still see more than a quarter of all reported fires occurring in homes.

That’s why we want you to take a few minutes to review some of the top causes of house fires. This can help you become more aware and hopefully reduce your risks!

Cooking. Most house fires occur in the kitchen. In fact, 50% of them! The leading cause is unattended cooking. So while you prepare dinner, make sure you stay aware and present in the kitchen to help reduce your risk.

Heating equipment. Heating implements are the second-leading cause of house fires. Mishaps and malfunctions are among the most common culprits, but placing a heating device too close to something flammable can also contribute. Space heaters are a particular danger.

Electrical fires. Fires related to the electrical system are the next most common. This type of fire is most common in older houses since their electrical systems are often outdated. If you live in an older home, have your electrical system inspected regularly. In any type of home, avoid using frayed wires or cords, and don’t overload electrical outlets.

Intentional fires. Sadly, there are 28,000 intentional home fires started every year. We’re not talking about fires that got out of hand; these are fires that were set purposefully with the intent of destruction.

Smoking materials. If you choose to smoke in your home, you must be very careful! While smoking materials only cause about 5% of house fires, they are the leading cause of house fire deaths. These deaths often occur when someone falls asleep while smoking.

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO is here for you if your home is affected by a fire. Contact your local team today to see how we can help.

Prepping for Fall: Fire Safety Edition

9/17/2021 (Permalink)

Be mindful about fall fire safety. Always remember that SERVPRO of NW & SW Dutchess is the trusted leader in the restoration industry.

As the air is getting crisper, the leaves are changing colors and at times you might even need a light jacket.

Fall is on its way here, which brings about some beautiful scenery changes and makes camping or sitting around campfires a little more relaxing.

Like every other season, fall brings its own fire hazards. So now is a good time to sit back and cuddle up to read over these safety tips.

Campfire Safety

Whether you are out camping with family and friends or in your own backyard, sitting around a campfire can certainly bring camaraderie amongst everyone.

While it could make for a “faster” fire, you should never use an accelerant like kerosene or lighter fluid. And it’s smart to build your fire away from anything flammable, such as tents or picnic tables.

Before you head to bed, go out of your way to ensure that the fire has been completely extinguished. Keep a water hose or a large bucket of water close in case things were to get out of hand.

Space Heaters

Portable space heaters can become your very best friend during the crisper days ahead, but it’s important to realize the potential dangers they can bring as well. These little heaters can put out some serious heat, and while you know to keep them away from anything flammable, it’s important to recognize that these heaters are one of the most common causes of house fires.

When using the heater, make sure you keep it on a level surface and away from bedding or anything else that could easily catch fire. Most heaters come with an automatic shut-off capability, but make it a habit to ensure that anytime you leave the room, you turn the heater off.

Halloween

While Halloween seems to be far away, it does creep up on you fast. Just a briefing on these now—remember candles and lighting or décor are all possible fire hazards, which is why it is imperative to be attentive to your surroundings.

If a fire hazard should turn from potential to reality in your home, remember the trusted leader in the recovery industry and contact SERVPRO to get your property fully restored right down to the smell of smoke.

How Do Hyde Park Homeowners Deal with Fire and Smoke Cleanup?

8/20/2021 (Permalink)

IICRC certified techs at SERVPRO are trained and experienced in all phases of fire damage restoration.

SERVPRO Rapid-Response Fire and Smoke Cleanup Preserves Hyde Park Structures and Contents

Fire and smoke damage are among the most common residential disasters, affecting an average of one in 325 homes every year. Fires can be six times more expensive despite being up to seven times less common than other categories of claims.

Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) accredited restoration pros at SERVPRO provide fire and smoke cleanup for Hyde Park properties. This firm’s sanitation and stain removal technologies include over 100 proprietary cleanup blends designed to maximize the restoration potential of structures and contents.

Dry Cleaning Options for Fire and Smoke Damage Soils

Dry cleaning from ceiling to floor is how SERVPRO fire damage technicians address smoke and soot stains. This cleanup process allows soils to fall to the floor for cleanup and minimizes the need to clean the same space multiple times, saving Hyde Park homeowners both time and money.

• SERVPRO Dry Cleaning Sponges specialize in eliminating light to medium concentrations of non-oily soils on porous surfaces that do not require or should not be wet-cleaned
• HVAC cleaning tools focus on agitation with whips, brushes, and augers to dislodge soils from sheet metal vents. Replacement is a safer and more cost-effective solution for flex ducts after a fire.
• Debris, Dry Cleaning Sponge Shavings, and soils can be vacuumed with SERVPRO’s two-motor, HEPA-filter vacuums.

Homeowners can call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550 for service that makes homes look and feel “Like it never even happened.”

What Is Defensible Space? | SERVPRO® of NW & SE Dutchess County

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged by fire or any other reason, SERVPRO of NW & SW Dutchess is ready and able to repair any damage.

To come home and see your home in any kind of disarray is disheartening, but to see it up in flames is unimaginable. People most often think of wildfires when they are on your TV news station, but they are more common than you think.

And because our world is made up of combustible items, wildfires can spread rapidly!

With that said, we are learning more precautions to take to help prevent the spread of wildfires. Certainly, the best precaution is simply being more careful.

The Basics of Defensible Space

Defensible space is much like a barrier of protection that you can create around your home. You can do this by removing things that add fuel to the fire, such as dead limbs or trees.

By adding flame-resistant gravel around your home, or using responsible planting and pruning practices, you are removing more potential of adding fuel to the fire.

Defensible space can be a defense mechanism, designed to protect your home in the event of a wildfire by slowing or stopping the spread of fire. By providing this “defense,” you are giving firefighters their best chance at stopping a wildfire before it breaches your home’s perimeter.

Our area requires that you maintain a defensible space around your home or commercial property to help minimize the number of wildfires we see.

The Increase of Wildfires

Wildfires are common and can happen anywhere. There were over 59,000 wildfires across the United States in 2020.

California accounted for 10,000+ fires out of the 59,000, but the average number of wildfires per state in 2020 was right under 1,000. In New York, we saw 192 wildfires last year, burning 1,123 acres of land.

Because these fires can and do happen anywhere, it’s important to do what you can to protect your home and property. Defensible space is one way to do that.

If your home is damaged by fire of any sort, wild or not, SERVPRO is ready and able to repair the damage caused. Get in touch today to get the pros on your team.

How is Fire Damaged Brick and Masonry Restored in Poughkeepsie?

6/16/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County when it comes to your Poughkeepsie fire damage needs.

Fire Damage can Affect Brick and Other Textured Walls in Your Poughkeepsie Home

When a fire burns in Poughkeepsie, it produces smoke. Many of the belongings in your home contain synthetic substances. When these burn, the smoke produced leaves dense layers of soot on the surfaces within the entire residence. Smoke can become so hot and have enough force behind it from the fire's intense heat that it finds its way into the smallest spaces.

If your Poughkeepsie home contains walls with textured surfaces, fire damage can include soot that adheres to these surfaces. Removing this soot from the deepest places can seem impossible. SERVPRO uses a blasting method to clean these tiny spaces and free them of the residue stuck inside.

Sand Vs. Dry Ice Blasting

Many people are familiar with sandblasting and how it can etch glass. Instead of this dense, highly coarse material, we use a much finer substance. Sodium bicarbonate, sometimes called soda, also has advantages over another option that we occasionally use – dry ice pellets. While it is true that we need to clean up the soda after we use it, we remove this when we vacuum up the soot blasted off the surfaces.

Other advantages of soda over dry ice revolve around cost differences, product availability, handling requirements, and specialized equipment, including protective gear, needed. Also, dry ice pellets can damage softer surfaces like brick or painted stucco, while soda does not create any additional damage.

Fire Damage Restoration for Walls and Ceilings

Some types of smoke accumulate in the upper corners and over doorways and the windows of a home. Blasting these areas can bring them back to the same condition as before the fire damage, "Like it never even happened." Walls and ceilings with textured coverings can sustain some minor peeling where thinner layers of paint existed, but priming these and then repainting can make things like new again, without the odor typical to homes that sustained fire damage.

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County is always ready and nearby to help resolve all aspects of fire damage and how it can affect your residence in Poughkeepsie, Hyde Park, and Beekman. Contact our 24-hour service line at (845) 635-4550, any day of the year, including holidays and weekends.

How To Take the Headache Out of Fire Damage Remediation in Your Poughkeepsie Home

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot damage from a fire is no easy task. SERVPRO has IICRC certified techs for any size fire disaster restoration.

Failing to Clean Your Toaster Could Cause Fire Damage in Your Poughkeepsie Home

Every time you make toast, small crumbs fall to the bottom of the device, and over time they can build up and eventually cause fire damage. The bread dries out and becomes increasingly stale, turning into a fire hazard. As they build and continue to use your device without cleaning it, a fire is bound to break out.

Fortunately, the fire damage inside your Poughkeepsie kitchen was relatively small. Using the fire extinguisher beneath your kitchen sink, you managed to keep the fire damage contained to the corner of your countertop where your toaster sat. Soot has stained the walls, cupboards, and counter. However, only the toaster, and the bread box beside, it burned up in flames.

Without that much lost in your kitchen, you may wonder if it is necessary to call for help. Here at SERVPRO, we have a reputation for tackling damages large or small. The stains inside your kitchen can be challenging for you to remove yourself, as can be the odor. For this reason, it is always wise to call for professional help immediately upon extinguishment.

When SERVPRO receives your call, we always swiftly put a team of IICRC,  Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, certified technicians together and send them to your home for prompt arrival. Upon arrival, our technicians can launch into an investigation and then create a remediation plan. SERVPRO can start by throwing away the charred bits of your bread box, your ruined toasted, and bits of plastic wrapping at the fire consumed. From there, we can use a cleaning solution designed to tackle greasy soot. Using a simple spray-and-wipe method with a lubricative cleaner, we can lift the grime away from the surface of your countertops, the walls, and your cupboards, while protecting the finishes on each respective surface.

Once all of the soot stains are gone, all that remains is removing the odor from the fire. SERVPRO can use a hydroxyl generator to neutralize the particles that carry the malodor. Our goal at SERVPRO is always to make every aspect of the blaze disappear, "Like it never even happened."

When forgetfulness causes fire damage inside of your home, always call for help right away. Get in touch with SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County by calling (845) 635-4550. Night or day, we're ready to lend our assistance.

Need Fire Restoration Services in Hyde Park – Call SERVPRO

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration services needed for your home are an easy choice. SERVPRO has IICRC certified techs for any size disaster.

Smoke, Water and Fire Restoration for Residences in Hyde Park – Call SERVPRO

The damage caused by fires, smoke residues, and chemicals or water used to quell the fire presents various cleaning challenges. The fire's temperature, the amount of oxygen, moisture, and gases all impact the amount and type of smoke residues generated by the fire.

SERVPRO fire restoration technicians in Hyde Park are trained to deal with all of these variables and apply many techniques during house fire cleanup activities. Smoke residue on hard surfaces is treated using different cleaning methods compared to fabrics and porous surfaces.

SERVPRO aims to complete house fire cleanup operations as quickly as possible and restore your contents. We utilize a variety of methods, including:

• Multiple ways to agitate surfaces
• Various products to interact with residues on surface types
• Cleaning procedures that use heat and dwell time to remove residues

Our SERVPRO team can help with all of your water and fire damage restorations. We use the latest techniques and products for fire and smoke damage restoration and cleanup.

Call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County for fire restoration in Hyde Park and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (845) 635-4550.

Looking to Repair Your Poughkeepsie Home After a Fire?

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

You can depend on our SERVPRO teams to cleanup and restore your property and personal belongings after a fire takes place.

SERVPRO Handles Fire Damage Restoration for Your Poughkeepsie Home

Poughkeepsie, New York, is a city found in the Hudson Valley, between New York City and Albany. Affectionately known as "The Queen City of the Hudson," it is a popular tourist destination, particularly for people who enjoy various outdoor activities. It is also a great place to escape from the daily grind of the city since it is just 90 minutes from Manhattan. 

Poughkeepsie, derived from the Wappinger language, U-puku-ipi-sing, has the rough meaning of "the reed-covered lodge by the little water place." This refers to a stream in the area that fed into the Hudson River. The Dutch initially settled the city in the 17th century. Shortly after the American Revolution, Poughkeepsie was one of New York's first early capitals before eventually settling in Albany. 

Present-day Poughkeepsie offers a plethora of outdoor activities including, hiking, kayaking, skeet shooting, and horseback riding. There is something for just about everybody to enjoy in the region. Many people take advantage of the vast trail system in the area. Another popular activity amongst visitors and locals is scenic drives during the fall to view the beautiful leaves showcasing the emerging season change from fall to winter.

The former railroad bridge, now called the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, is currently a pedestrian bridge. It sits at 212 feet above the Hudson, providing visitors a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. It is the world's longest pedestrian footbridge, with a total length of 6,768 feet (1.28 miles). It averages over 600,000 visitors per year. On the east bank of the former railroad bridge is Poughkeepsie and on the west bank is Highland. Interestingly, during WWII, the bridge was painted black to not be a visible target at night. 

Here are Some Important Dates in the Bridge's History:

• 1889: The double-track railroad bridge reached completion as part of the Maybrook Railroad Line.
• 1974: Taken out of service due to a fire, most likely from a spark from a train breaking. It was challenging to put out due to the height of the bridge and un-cleared pipes. 
• 1979: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• 2008: Entry updated in the National Register of Historic Places.
• 2009: Opened as a pedestrian walkway. 

SERVPRO Repairs Your Home Following a Fire

Fire damage restoration is multifaceted as each fire situation is unique, requiring different things to restore your home to pre-fire conditions. First and foremost, our technicians wish to keep your family safe while also ensuring the workers' safety. Although each situation is different, technicians handle each emergency carefully. 

Emergency Service Activities May Include:

• If electricity was compromised, technicians establish temporary power.
• Boarding up the structure to keep your home safe from intruders or wildlife.
• Conducting thorough building inspections to ensure health and safety standards. 
• Drying the structure after fire-fighting efforts. 

For 24/7 assistance with home restoration in Poughkeepsie and the surrounding areas, contact SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550. We make it, "Like it never even happened."

Fire Restoration in Hyde Park Gets Professional Attention from SERVPRO

2/22/2021 (Permalink)

Containment of a fire damaged property is no easy task. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for the fire restoration service needed.

Local Hyde Park Homeowners Count on SERVPRO for Fire Restoration

The obvious part of cleaning a home post-fire damage is the removal of the charred items. The mitigation that SERVPRO performs for local properties goes far beyond that step.

When SERVPRO technicians handle fire restoration in Hyde Park properties, they do far more than taking out items too burned for any type of reuse by cleaning. Typical standard procedures during the cleanup after a fire in a property include:

• Containment to halt the spread of soot
• Improvement of air quality through the use of specialized equipment
• Removal of soot and smoke damage residues from surfaces

Two necessary actions to finalize the cleanup of the residence involve duct cleaning and odor control. During a fire, hot air can push itself into the ductwork and other areas of the room. Anywhere the soot particles remain, they continue to produce pungent smoke odors. SERVPRO techs can clean the ducts and treat the property to eradicate any remaining odors within the house.

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550 stands ready to serve local Hyde Park residents for all types and sizes of fire restoration services. 

Hyde Park Board Meetings Are Held Virtually

1/25/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO works to provide Fast and Efficient Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration to Your Commercial Property.

Videos of Previous Hyde Park Board Meetings Are Available

Hyde Park is situated in Dutchess County, bordered by the town of Poughkeepsie and roughly midway between Albany and the downtown core of New York City. Hyde Park's town board meetings are held on the first and 3rd Mondays of every month, beginning at 6 pm. Current health guidelines require that all town meetings are held virtually while the town hall is closed. Observers can watch the sessions live on the town's Livestream YouTube channel. Videos of the previous meetings are archived and can be found on the cities website.

February meetings are scheduled as follows:

Monday, Feb 1st, 2021

Monday, Feb 15th, 2021

Beginning at 6 pm

Participants can find details for submitting information in preparation for the meeting on the cities website in PDF format. Check for changes in structure, timing, and venues before all meetings. Hyde Park is divided into four wards, with a representative from each ward attending and the council supervisor and secretary.

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County provides fire damage assistance to Hyde Park companies and surrounding areas. Call (845) 635-4550. Our SERVPRO team is always prepared and ready to respond 24/7 to help with all your fire damage needs.

Tips for a Happy—and Fire-Safe—Holiday Season | SERVPRO® of Putnam County

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

Our team is available 24/7 when you have a fire emergency. SERVPRO of Putnam County is here to help.

The holiday season is just around the corner. That means many different things to different families—big meals, trees and gifts. But while you’re celebrating with the people you love, be sure you’re also taking the steps you need to take to keep your home safe.

Understanding Thanksgiving Fire Risks

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the biggest fire threats during the Thanksgiving holiday revolve around the kitchen.

Don’t leave the stove unattended. While it’s tempting to leave pots simmering while you socialize, or to stick the turkey in the oven and forget it until your timer goes off, the truth is that this habit is a risk for fire. Be sure you’re checking your food regularly. Not only does it help guarantee your meal will taste great, but it also helps you spot possible kitchen fires before they become a real issue.

Check your cords and appliances. Your kitchen works overtime to prepare for Thanksgiving. You might have everything from your coffee maker to an air fryer plugged in to help you prepare for the feast. Be sure the cords are placed in ways that don’t pose a tripping hazard to children darting into the kitchen or busy cooks working on finishing the meal. These appliances can be a fire hazard if they’re pulled off the counter or malfunction.

Practice good candle safety Fall holiday candles are popular additions to many Thanksgiving parties. But if they’re knocked over or left burning too long, they can cause a fire hazard. Be sure to place candles in safe places that small children can’t reach and don’t leave them burning unattended.

Tips for a Safe Christmas

When it’s time to decorate your home, be sure you keep fire safety at the top of mind when you’re stringing lights and putting up your tree.

These tips from a leading insurance provider can help you and your family put together a festive atmosphere and still protect your home from fire risks.

The “Thanksgiving rules” still apply to the kitchen. While Thanksgiving is known for family feasts, most Americans cook a big meal for Christmas, too. Be sure you watch simmer pots and cooking turkeys or hams carefully.

Keep your tree away from heat sources. As a general rule, you’ll want to be sure your tree is several feet away from hot vents, space heaters, and fireplaces. This reduces your risk of accidentally starting a fire in your home.

Turn the lights off when you leave. While twinkling lights look pretty from your window at night, leaving them on when you’re not home can raise your house fire risk.

We’re Here to Help

Even the most diligent homeowners can sometimes have an accident or an unforeseen circumstance regarding a house fire. If it happens to your home, we’re available any time day or night to help you start repairing the damage and restoring your home.

Our team is available to help ²⁴⁄₇ when you have a fire emergency, so don’t hesitate to call us if you need us.

Why Do Residents Use Professional Fire Restoration Services?

10/7/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Removes the Soot and Smoke--"Like it never even happened."

Fire Damage Restoration is a Challenging and Time-consuming Task. SERVPRO Helps Poughkeepsie Residents Overcome Soots and Smoke Deposits after Fire.

What household products are useful for fire damage?

Cleaning the appearance of your Poughkeepsie home after a house fire is a priority. Soots and smoke deposits can cause unpleasant odors or settle onto surfaces causing further damage. Introducing water at the wrong moment can harm some types of smoke soiling. However, using mild agitation on sections of a wall can help remove non-bonded dry soot deposits. Gentle agitation is often safe to carry out with household items like feather dusters, brushes, vacuum cleaners, or compressed air. By applying these directly to a surface, you can avoid further damage while mitigating and removing dry soot deposits.

What particular products remove soot?

- Dry cleaning sponges are made from rubber and can be useful on dry soots

- Mineral oil dusting clothes can attract light soot deposits

- A crumbly cleaner that is useful for painted surfaces or photos and artwork

What products do professionals use for fire restoration?

When removing dry soots from a property with fire damage in Poughkeepsie, professional fire technicians use many household products. However, for stubborn residues or stains, we may bring in more extensive and more abrasive equipment. This equipment could include sandpapers, steel wool, or abrasive powders. Often our technicians combine these items with mechanical equipment. A roto brush, for example, spins sandpaper or steel wool and can be used to buffer and polish surfaces and remove large amounts of dry smoke. SERVPRO technicians typically reserve this equipment for properties with extensive damage and soot.

What are the advantages of using agitation for soots and smoke residues?

- Time-efficient without requiring the use of chemical action

- Can effectively remove many types of soot damage

- Can be used on delicate items like artworks or photographs

If you are struggling to remove soots, dust, or smoke residues from your home, contact SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County (845) 635-4550.

Exterior Burning and Smoke Damage to Poughkeepsie Homes

8/18/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO helps Poughkeepsie property owners with their fire damage claims. We gladly try to expedite the claims process.

Structure fires can take a toll on neighboring properties as well, and our SERVPRO team can help with efficient cleaning and repairs

While we have become a leading fire restoration company for Poughkeepsie homes and businesses, we can also help structures indirectly damaged by a disaster. Often with the short distances between homes and businesses throughout the city, a blazing structure fire can have disastrous effects on adjacent properties that require the thorough fire restoration and repairs that our contractors and technicians offer. Nearby properties to a total loss structure fire can experience:

• Melting
• Charring
• Partial Combustion
• Soot/Smoke Residues
• Missing Exterior Materials

Regarding fire restoration for Poughkeepsie homes that suffer exterior damages, a combination of our general contractors and experienced fire damage technicians can make these situations "Like it never even happened." Controlled demolition is often necessary when siding, fascia board, and wood become damaged directly by the heat or spread of a fire. Brick and masonry can usually be cleaned with soda blasting, sandblasting, and other abrasive cleaning techniques.

Are Demolition and Reconstruction Necessary?

Reconstruction and repairs sound expensive and costly, but these needed actions can often get covered by your home insurance policy. Determining what steps and approaches are necessary to restore and recover exterior damages to your home is a combination of efforts by our project manager assessing and estimating the work, the insurance adjuster preparing a claim, and the homeowner. Our fast response to this situation can often prevent the spread of soot particles and smoke odors into the structure.

Exterior damages are more common than many homeowners might believe. We can help you to repair siding and masonry outside walls with efficient cleaning and controlled demolition. Give our SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County team a call anytime disasters strike at (845) 635-4550.

What Different Residues and Substances Exist After Fire Losses in Poughkeepsie?

6/24/2020 (Permalink)

Each fire loss recovery that our SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County team addresses is unique.

Fire Damage In Poughkeepsie

Residues and soiling are substantial obstacles for restoring your Poughkeepsie home, so we work quickly to remove these threats.

The loss incidents that threaten your Poughkeepsie home are not the same as every other emergency. You have different contents, structural layout, unique materials, and conditions that set your residence apart from others that have contended with fire losses in the past. These differences also impact the way that your property can get cleaned.

Varying materials require different strategies to remove fire damage in Poughkeepsie properties. Residues, soils, and other harmful substances can adhere to surfaces and contents throughout your home, requiring numerous cleaning products and practices to address it all. In some situations, the ideal solution is controlled demolition for how long specific materials take to clean and recover. If it is more cost-effective to replace rather than restore, this is often the most favorable path.

Some of the soiling threats that our SERVPRO team encounters after a fire loss include:

Soot - Soot gets created from incomplete combustion of various fuels like wood. Each of these microscopic particles is a health hazard for those exposed, so cleaning surfaces should be a contained approach that removes the entirety of the residue.

Oils - Oily soilings are also a common threat after fire extinguishment. Emulsification is one of the best strategies here, and this can happen with the application of potent water-based solvents in our cleaning product line.

Smoke Residues - Between wet and dry smoke, there are several factors to consider. Thick residues left behind by wet smoke often also come with strong odors. With efforts like soda blasting, we can simultaneously address both the coating and its effects.

Each fire loss recovery that our SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County team addresses is unique. We can thoroughly inspect your property and make sure that we are taking the most efficient steps to make it “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (845) 635-4550.

Who Can Provide Me With Fire Restoration Services in Poughkeepsie?

6/7/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage can occur in any room of your home. Stay safe and deal with damage by contacting team SERVPRO right away.

SERVPRO of Poughkeepsie Can Quickly Provide Your Property With Fire Restoration Services

If your Poughkeepsie home has come to face fire damage, it is never wise to wait. If the fire is large enough to call for the fire department, the best thing you could do for your home is to call for remediation services as soon as you finish your first call. The quicker it is addressed, the easier the remediation becomes. 

One of the trickiest aspects of fire damage is how quickly the damage on your Poughkeepsie property can become challenging to remove. Once a fire is put out, remediating specific objects gets put on a clock. As plastics, and other materials cool, they can become discolored and begin to look weathered.

What Objects in my Home Should be Remediated Immediately? 

Should a fire occur inside your home, our SERVPRO technicians may find their hands full due to the number of tasks that must be seen. After clearing out any debris, our technicians can see to quickly:

• Removing any furniture that is smoke damaged and needs to be cleaned
• Send any artwork that requires special remediation services to our facilities
• Set up air scrubbers, to begin to filter out malodorous particles from the air 

A lot of our work involves doing many of the same tasks at the same time. For this reason, our technicians work in teams.

What Happens When My Furniture, Clothing, and Belongings Are Brought to Your Facilities? 

Sometimes, our advanced equipment is too large to bring to the site of the fire damage. When your belongings need special equipment, they are: 

• Carefully packed, labeled, and then stored at our facilities 
• Once there, they are remediated by our expert technicians
• After remediation services, they are once again carefully packed and stored 

Never wait to get help. Call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County by dialing (845) 635-4550. Trust our fire damage restoration technicians to help you when you need it.

Click here for more information about Poughkeepsie.

We Put The Flames Of Worry Out In Poughkeepsie After A Fire

4/14/2020 (Permalink)

We have the best techniques for cleaning the soot off of your belongings. Please call our experts right away to prevent further damage.

Smoke Puff Back Furnace Poughkeepsie

What can you do when furnace puff back affects your property?

To give your home the best chance of a full recovery without causing further harm to paintwork or carpets, you should enlist professional fire damage restoration services from the Poughkeepsie area.

What is a smoke puff back made from?

Smoke puff back from a furnace in your Poughkeepsie property is a composite of different soils that can stain furniture, embed into carpets, cause odors or damage your paintwork. You can expect to find a mixture of wet and dry soots in a furnace puff back. Some soots may be several months old, which can vary the texture, greasiness, and cleaning methods we need to use. It is prudent to pre-test each soot to understand how they react to cleaning methods as well as how the base material reacts.

Do not apply water or household cleaning products until necessary or with expert advice. Some puff backs can contain fuel oil, which is insoluble in water. Applying a water-based cleaning product to oil-based soiling can split, which usually results in spreading fire damages further around. SERVPRO technicians stock a full range of water and oil-based chemical agents to help remove soots from surfaces with minimum harm.

What is furnace puff back?

A puff back occurs when there is un-burned oil at the bottom of a boiler or heater's combustion chamber. When the ignition is applied, the un-burned oil quickly explodes, sending fuel oil, ash, soots, and other debris through the venting system. While the force of the explosion is not usually enough to cause structural damage to your home, it can dislodge soot buildup inside venting and create enough pressure for soots or debris to be blasted out of return ducks throughout the home. A common sign of a furnace puff back is soot lines directly above and in front of ducts.

Why does puff back occur, and how to avoid it?

The most common cause of a puff back is poor maintenance of a boiler or fuel burner. Over the years of use, boilers perform less efficiently. These can be the result of blocked ignition or spray nozzles that leave oil un-burned in the combustion chamber. Issues can also be the result of:

- Improper shut-down of the boiler
- Leaky or loose-fitting fuel supply lines
- Inadequate chimney fittings (too short) or weak installation of a furnace in the home
- Heavy usage over long periods
- Leaving flues closed during operation

What signs are there that a puff back could occur?

Usually, there are warning signals that a homeowner can be aware of to prevent a puff back from occurring. The most common signs are odorous, dirty, or noisy operation of the furnace. Unusual sounds, smells, or emissions can all be symptoms of an inefficient furnace. These can often be treated cheaply by getting professional inspection and repair. Further signs may include:

- Soots or other types of marking around the furnace
- Slow ignition
- Slow shut-down
- Rumbling noises in your boiler
- Oily smells from both venting ducts and furnace itself.

What can I do to remedy a puff back?

Smoke puff backs are composed of wet and dry smoke residues as well as fuel oil. These can make cleaning efforts challenging without industry training and experience. However, relatively safe measures you can take are to shut-down your boiler. Light-vacuuming, the affected area, can be an effective way of tackling dry soots. You may also want to avoid foot traffic in the affected area to prevent any residual soots from pushing into carpet fibers or other areas.

Is puff back smoke damage on my carpets permanent?

SERVPRO technicians can help you to understand which items are salvageable and which are not salvageable. Our workers conduct a simple equation regarding the cost of replacement, cost of restoration, and cost of materials before deciding to discard carpets. Often our exceptional pre-cleaning, pre-conditioning, and rotary machines can help to reduce heavy soils from a carpet and restore it to a preloss condition.

Massive set soiling in thick carpets can also benefit from emulsifying cleaning technology. Emulsifying powders can be applied directly onto most carpets and loosens the bond of soots and carpet fibers. Often the emulsifying powder dislodges soots successfully with both soot and powder being extracted from the carpet at the end of service. If your carpet features thin carpet fibers, you may benefit from a replacement that SERVPRO can perform for you on-site.

Furnace puff backs are not easily avoidable, but they can impact your home visually, physically, and affect your indoor air quality. Using professional assistance can help to ensure that your property returns to its preloss condition without the risk of further harm occurring.

If you suspect a furnace puff-back in your home, contact SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550.

See more about Poughkeepsie.

Fire Damage Restoration In Poughkeepsie Can Require Wet Cleaning Walls

3/10/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO assist and use our methods for your Poughkeepsie home after a fire damage.

Fire damage to your Poughkeepsie can be super tricky depending on the different surfaces in your home.

When an inferno breaks out on your Poughkeepsie property, a significant portion of the problems that get caused can be related to the smoke coming from the blaze. Smoke coming from an item that burns can cause different types of fire damage, including the presence of pungent aromas and soot residues. Even if the blaze was minor, mitigating issues the smoke created could become costly and time-consuming.

During a fire damage situation in Poughkeepsie, the smoke could have traveled far away from the source of the blaze. These partially combusted particles can also penetrate deep into the building materials and contents inside your house that contain porous surfaces such as softwood or drywall. The smoke can also vary when different fuels get burned during the inferno. The various types of smoke can adhere differently to surfaces inside your residence.

The general rule a professional restoration company like SERVPRO uses when determining the best soot residue cleaning method is that porous surfaces are best cleaned using dry rags or sponges and non-porous surfaces come out best using wet cleaning methods with water-based detergents. For example, your wooden walls and ones that are painted with a water-resistant gloss can be cleaned with H2O-based products, but other surfaces could soak up moisture and are best cleaned with dry methods.

When cleaning soiled walls, using wet cleaning methods, our SERVPRO technicians first test clean the area to figure out which chemical products will work best on your various surfaces. Once we determine the best products and techniques to use, we start the process by moving your furniture away from the walls and creating a staging area by coating your floors near the affected walls with plastic to prevent solid chemicals from falling onto your flooring.

We then mix the chemical product with the manufacturer's suggested amount of water and put it into a bucket. Next, we take rags and submerge them into the mixed solution. We use the wet rags to clean your walls with side to side strokes. After cleansing the affected areas, we then use our wall rinse solution on the affected regions.

If you ever need help cleaning your wood panel walls after they get coated with soot residues, call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550 24/7.

To learn more about Poughkeepsie, click here.

Tips for after a Fire.

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

Fires can be especially devastating to your home or business. After the fire trucks leave, your property will likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of NW and SE Dutchess County Professionals have specialized fire and water damage restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. They also can remove the pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet. 

The Fire Damage Restoration Process

SERVPRO of NW and SE Dutchess County Professionals know just how devastating a fire can be. Fire and water damage can leave your house unsafe and unlivable. They’re trained to clean and restore your home with as little disruption as possible.

Your Contents after a Fire.

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

Contents Restoration

SERVPRO of NW and SE Dutchess County technicians specialize in restoring contents damaged by water, fire, or mold. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We pretest your belongings to determine what items can be restored to pre-fire condition.

We use several methods of cleaning your contents, including:

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

Call us today to see how we can help you!  845-635-4550

Smoke Damage in Pleasant Valley Home

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

Stove top fires are common in most homes.  They can start out small, but can quickly get out of control.  This customer experienced just that while making dinner one night.  After all the proper steps were taken to get the fire under control, SERVPRO of NW and SE Dutchess County was called in to assist with the cleanup.  Although not much structural damage occurred, there was significant smoke damage throughout the home.

Our technicians worked with the homeowner and their family to ensure that all rooms and the contents within were cleaned to SERVPRO and industry standards.  The homeowner was so thrilled when we were able to clean some of their more sentimental items. 

When you have fire or smoke damage in your home or office, be sure to call the professionals at SERVPRO of NW and SE Dutchess COunty at (845)-635-4550

What to do incase of a Fire in your Dutchess County Home.

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

The first few days after a fire are crucial in the restoration process.  SERVPRO of NW and SE Dutchess County understands the emotional strain fire and smoke damage in a home or office can take.  We recommend taking the following steps after a fire to help make a difference between restoring or replacing.

• To prevent any further damage to unaffected areas, it is best to limit movement in the home or office.  Movement of belongings and persons will move soot particles in the air.
• In high traffic areas, rugs and on upholstery, place clean old linens to help prevent further damage.
• Chrome faucets, trim and appliances are subject to damage from soot particles, so we recommend coating them with petroleum jelly or oil.
• If water is used to extinguish the fire, it is best in carpeted areas to place aluminum foil or wood blocks between the furniture legs and the wet carpet.
• Do not wash any walls or painted surfaces
• Do not shampoo carpet or upholstery
• Do not clean any electrical equipment
• Do not send clothing to a dry cleaner.  This may set smoke odor if clothing is improperly cleaned 

Home Safety Tips- Fire

4/25/2018 (Permalink)

Do you know what to do when catastrophe strikes in the form of a fire in your home?

When a fire starts, you could have less than two minutes to escape.  Early warnings are key to a safe exit, so working smoke alarms and a practiced fire escape plan are important when avoiding disaster.

Top Tips for Fire Safety

1. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
2. Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.
3. Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
4. If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

Dutchess County Smoke and Soot Cleanup

4/20/2018 (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 NW & SE Dutchess County 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 Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (845)-635-4550