Home > Fire, Smoke, and Soot Damage Services
During a fire, smoke is driven by heat created by flames.  No matter where the fire originates, smoke may penetrate throughout an entire home or building structure.  Smoke can also combine with humidity to form corrosive residues that may cause secondary damage - a process known as etching, pitting or chemical burning.  After the smoke clears, the damage is just beginning - so quick response is crucial!

ServiceMaster by Blaze emergency response teams are standing by, ready to respond around-the-clock. 

Our technicians are keenly aware that damage increases and restoration costs escalate the longer neutralization, corrosion control and cleaning is delayed.  Below is a timeline of the effects of fire and smoke on a home:

Within Minutes
Acid soot residues cause plastics to yellow; small appliances located close to the source of combustion discolor; highly porous materials (marble, alabaster) discolor permanently,

Within Hours
Acid residues stain grout in bathrooms; fiberglass bath fixtures yellow; metals tarnish, counter tops may yellow; finishes on appliances, particularly refrigerators that extend into the heat line, may yellow; furniture finishes may discolor.

Within Days
In time, acid residues cause painted walls to yellow permanently; metal corrodes, pits and rusts; wood furniture requires refinishing; vinyl flooring requires refinishing or replacement; clothing becomes soot stained; upholstery stains permanently.

Within Weeks
Restoration costs escalate tremendously.  Synthetic carpet fibers may yellow or discolor permanently; silver plate is corroded permanently; glass, crystal, china may require replacement due to severe etching and pitting caused by prolonged exposure to acid soot residues.

At ServiceMaster by Blaze, restoring property is our life's work.  Our certified, professional technicians have the training and experience required to understand the frustrations and trauma that fire and smoke damage causes for home and business owners.  Our years of experience have also led us to understand that before we proceed with restorative cleaning efforts, we must first identify the type of fire and smoke problem that has occurred:

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

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

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

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

Each fire or smoke-loss situation is unique, and to the untrained eye, many situations can appear to be beyond repair.   ServiceMaster by Blaze technicians have completed advanced training in fire mitigation, restoration systems and corrosion control, and over the years we've helped thousands of people, just like you, to recover from disasters.  Our goal is to restore your property and contents, as quickly and efficiently as possible, to a pre-loss condition or better!  Visit our offices to view our extensive "Before and After" photo gallery, or view our online "Before and After" photo gallery.

 
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Fire, Smoke, and Soot Damage Mitigation Services...
During a fire, smoke is driven by heat created by flames.  No matter where the fire originates, smoke may penetrate throughout an entire home or building structure.  Smoke can also combine with humidity to form corrosive residues that may cause secondary damage - a process known as etching, pitting or chemical burning.  After the smoke clears, the damage is just beginning - so quick response is crucial!

ServiceMaster by Blaze emergency response teams are standing by, ready to respond around-the-clock. 

Our technicians are keenly aware that damage increases and restoration costs escalate the longer neutralization, corrosion control and cleaning is delayed.  Below is a timeline of the effects of fire and smoke on a home:

Within Minutes
Acid soot residues cause plastics to yellow; small appliances located close to the source of combustion discolor; highly porous materials (marble, alabaster) discolor permanently,

Within Hours
Acid residues stain grout in bathrooms; fiberglass bath fixtures yellow; metals tarnish, counter tops may yellow; finishes on appliances, particularly refrigerators that extend into the heat line, may yellow; furniture finishes may discolor.

Within Days
In time, acid residues cause painted walls to yellow permanently; metal corrodes, pits and rusts; wood furniture requires refinishing; vinyl flooring requires refinishing or replacement; clothing becomes soot stained; upholstery stains permanently.

Within Weeks
Restoration costs escalate tremendously.  Synthetic carpet fibers may yellow or discolor permanently; silver plate is corroded permanently; glass, crystal, china may require replacement due to severe etching and pitting caused by prolonged exposure to acid soot residues.

At ServiceMaster by Blaze, restoring property is our life's work.  Our certified, professional technicians have the training and experience required to understand the frustrations and trauma that fire and smoke damage causes for home and business owners.  Our years of experience have also led us to understand that before we proceed with restorative cleaning efforts, we must first identify the type of fire and smoke problem that has occurred:

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

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

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

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

Each fire or smoke-loss situation is unique, and to the untrained eye, many situations can appear to be beyond repair.   ServiceMaster by Blaze technicians have completed advanced training in fire mitigation, restoration systems and corrosion control, and over the years we've helped thousands of people, just like you, to recover from disasters.  Our goal is to restore your property and contents, as quickly and efficiently as possible, to a pre-loss condition or better!

Water Damage Do's and Don'ts
DO...
  • Clean and protect chrome trim on faucets and other brightwork by washing with detergent and applying a coating of vaseline or oil.
  • Wipe residue from porcelain bath fixtures to prevent etching.
  • Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smoke particles from upholstery, draperies and carpeting.
  • Open windows for ventilation if weather permits.
  • Cover carpeted traffic areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional soiling.
  • Empty refrigerators and freezers if electricity is off, and prop doors open with a rolled towel or newspaper to allow air circulation.
  • Pour antifreeze in toilet bowls, tanks, sink and tub drains to prevent freeze damage if heat is off in winter.
  • Call a plumber to drain and blow out all water lines if heat is off in winter.
  • Remove pets to a clean environment if heavy fire residues are present.
  • Send a sample group of garments for cleaning and deodorization in order to observe the results.
  • Retain a contractor to board up open windows, roofs, or other penetrations in order to prevent additional damage.
DO NOT...
  • Wipe or attempt to wash fire residues from walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.  Incorrect cleaning procedures could compound the soot residue problem.
  • Attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.  Again, incorrect procedures could increase damage.
  • Use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy smoke residues or debris.
  • Use food items or canned goods exposed to heat.
  • Turn on computers, TVs, stereos or other electrical appliances until they have been cleaned and checked