What to do When you Have a Grease Fire..

1/18/2023 (Permalink)

Always keep a fire extinguisher close by, you never know when you will need it!

Grease Fire Basics

Home cooking fires are common, and a fire caused by grease and oils is among the most common of cooking fires. A grease fire is a different animal from fires that have paper or wood as a primary source. They can also quickly erupt on the stove top, in the oven and on grills. The source of the fire doesn't have to be cooking oils but can also originate from the oils and grease generated by the foods that are being cooked. They are tricky to extinguish, which may be a factor in why they cause so much damage.

Steps To Take During a Grease Fire

A quick response to this type of fire can prevent disaster. These measures have been proven to put out the flames.

Snuff out the flames by covering them with a metal lid or cookie sheet.
Keep the cover on until the fire is out.
An alternative is to cover the fire with baking soda or salt.
If available, extinguish the fire with a Class B fire extinguisher.

If these steps don't work and the fire grows, get everyone out of the home. Call the fire department as soon as possible.

Steps Not To Take

Unlike other fires, you should never use water on a fire feeding on cooking oils. It's also vital not to attempt to move the fire outside, either when it is burning or right after a metal lid has been put over the fire. This action can result in burns and a spread of the fire. Flour and baking powder will not work on snuffing out this type of fire, as they have a different chemical structure than baking soda and salt and can feed the fire.
Understanding a grease fire protects you and your family. If a blaze does harm your home, the first step to fire cleanup is to call in a fire remediation team such as, SERVPRO of Southeast Portland, will clean up the damage and restore your home "Like it never even happened."

With Summer Coming to an End Here are Rainstorm Precautions

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of SE Portland if you are experiencing any water damage in our home of office.

When a flood is happening you can take the following measures:
- Disconnect all electrical and gas appliances. Shut off the water main to keep contaminated water from the water heater (a source of emergency water).
- Bring any valuable or sentimental outdoor possessions inside.
- Move valuables and essential items to upper floors of building.
- Sandbags should be stacked well away from the building to avoid damaging walls. If major flooding is expected, flood the basement with clean water to equalize the water pressure on the outside of the basement walls and floors. This is to help prevent structural damage.
- Round up pets.

The extent of the flooding will impact the amount of work required to get your home back to its former glory. Minimal flooding may require only the time it takes to remove the water and dry everything out. More extensive flooding can leave you needing a complete remodel. Be prepared for the potential construction site left in your home after a flood.

Untreated Water Damage Can Lead to a Mold Problem

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

We are ready to take on the mold in your home so you don't have too!

Black mold can spread through your home as the result of a few things. The most common is improperly treatemed water damage. The two types of water damage that may result in mold spores  inside your home are a slow, unnoticed leak the other a large and sudden loss.

First the slow leak is common when there is a leaky pipe that isn't easily visable under a sink, inside the walls, around a windowsill, or underneath the flooring. These result in the affected area being dark and damp which allows for the mold growth.

The second most common is a large sudden loss.  These generally occur as the result of a burst pipe, glogged drain, roof leak or a flood that result in standing water.  Many will remove the water themselves with a shopvac and attempt to air it out with fans and opening windows.  In a situation with this amount of water this may not fix the problem properly and can lead more porblems.  The main problem being the growth of mold from not properly drying out the affected area. Having a reputable water mitigation and restoration company that can properly identify the and remediate the situation can help any issues in the future.

SERVPRO of Southeast Salem’s technicians are highly trained to identify and target water damage at the source. One way to detect the slow, unnoticed leak would be to monitor your water usage bill. If there is a noticeable increase in water usage without any explanation could be the result of a leak. Calling a plumber to identify any potential problems would be the best thing to do. After a large, sudden loss, it is best to give a water damage restoration business a call so that your problem can be handled by professionals. As the best water damage restoration business out there, SERVPRO of Southeast Portland is here to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Floods may not be that common, but they do happen in Oregon

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

1964 Christmas flood in Oregon

The Christmas Flood that happened in 1964 may not be known by many.  Anyone that experienced it may have forgotten and of course some of us had not been born or were too young to recall. This particular flood caused hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage and continued for over three weeks. This was one of the most devastating floods to hit the Willamette Valley in recorded history.  As a result of the damage over three thousand people were displaced from their residences and sadly there were seventeen casualties.  This flood has been referred to as a 100-year flood which means a similar occurance may happen again.

Another instance of flooding more recently was the Willamette Valley Flood of 1996.  The rising waters affected the areas of Oregon City, Tillamook, and Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The destruction caused an estimated half a billion dollars in property damage leaving some areas under water for a couple weeks.  Again there were unfortunately eight casualties resulting as well in Oregon.

If there is another flooding natural disaster, SERVPRO of Southeast Portland is always faster to any size disaster.  We also use the best equipment available so our highly trained technicians will restore your property to get things back to normal as soon as possible.  

Damage from a Faulty Air Conditioner

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Damage from faulty AC unit

This past week we had a referral come in from a dear friend. His friend who is a single mother noticed that the air conditioning unit in the attic quit working. In a matter of days, she started noticing water stains on her roof and began to think, where is this water coming from? She then called her trusty friend, to ask for a painter and that is when he advised that painting was not the only thing she should be worried about. He advised that there needed to be a company to check how much water was in the wall and if there was any mold growing. Then she could worry about the paint. He then remembered us here at SERVPRO and said hey, give them a call and they will advise of the damage! The best compliment is a referral! We thank our continue clients for their kind words.

Contaminated Water Response

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Microbe Growth Thrives Between 68 and 86 Degrees!

We follow the IICRC S500 Principles of Water Damage Restoration.  The Standard for water damage restoration is designed to:

-Provide for the safety and health of workers and occupants

-Document and inspect further damage

-Mitigate further damage

-Clean and dry affected areas

-Complete the restoration and repairs.

As a water response company, it is extremely important to know the type of water we are dealing with. Immediate response is taken to prevent the growth of microbes. Microbes found in water damages are fungi, bacteria and viruses. Excessive water and humidity can result in microbores multiplying. Microbes become airborne and spread to clean areas, causing cross contamination. To prevent mold growth, keep indoor relative humidity to below 60%. Receive fast, quality service by calling the professionals at SERVPRO, who will help prevent further issues!

Hard Water Doesn't Have to be Hard to Remove

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

Give us a call today for an estimate!

It can be difficult to get rid of nasty hard water stains on windows, even for professional cleaning companies. Over 85% of United States residents and businesses reside in hard water areas. Large offices or warehouses with multiple windows are among some of the most difficult tasks to handle. The first step begins with understanding hard water and how it affects the buildings so our cleaning technicians choose the best solutions to get rid of it.

There are no minerals in the rainwater that falls to the Earth. When it passes through the ground it absorbs minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This is what transforms it from “soft water” into “hard water.” Hard water doesn't usually cause any problems with our health but it can be detrimental to plumbing, fixtures, appliances, glass, showers, or pretty much anywhere water is used.

The minerals are left behind once water is evaporated. These ugly deposits cause crusty scale, stains, film, and mineral rings. This build-up can become problematic or permanent if not dealt with quickly.

Hard Water Cleaning Solutions for Removing Those Ugly Stains:

Cleaning companies have many different methods for removing hard water stains. Acidic and non-acidic chemicals, abrasive, natural or manufactured tools, there is a multitude of cleaners that have the ability to remove mineral deposits and scale. To ensure you choose the right cleaning product for the job, surface or fixture you plan on cleaning check the manufacturer's label. You can also test the cleaner in a discreet place first if you are not sure what the outcome will be. The last thing you want to do is cause damage to your customers' building.

The more common method for removing mineral deposits such as calcium, magnesium, and iron is using an acidic product. Most hard water staining can be removed with a combination of the right cleaner, cleaning tool and a little hard work.

Cleaning tools such as white scrubbing pads, scrub brushes, and steel wool, are the usual products to get the job done. Just remember that none of these tools should be used alone, as they can permanently scratch the surface of the window. Only use these tools when the surface of the window is wet with water or cleaning chemical.

Starting your cleaning process with less harmful chemicals, tools, and methods are recommended. Then step it up to more aggressive methods should the issue persist. It may take several attempts to remove stubborn deposits.

Beware of strong acidic chemicals as they are very corrosive and damaging to certain surfaces such as stainless steel and chrome. These tools will “eat” through surfaces, so never attempt to use such chemicals without the proper training and testing.

With winter coming, time to get your building checked!

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

Call us today at 503-427-9535 for an inspection of your commercial building!

Many of the commercial buildings in use here in Portland were constructed some time ago. Although older architecture is more unique and nice on the outside, there can be many issues waiting to happen on the inside. For one, the electrical wiring may be just as old as the structure. Depending on the electrical needs of the business, and all the new equipment plugged into old outlets, fires or other damage can occur. This may be rare, but electrical wiring is still a cause of many fires.

Having electrical wiring inspected by a qualified electrician is a great preventive measure. Double-checking the equipment that will be used in conjunction with the power supply is also very important.  If your business is unfortunate enough to experience a fire caused by an electrical malfunction SERVPRO of Southeast Portland is always there to help restore the commercial structure of our friends and neighbors. 

Top 5 Reasons for House Fires

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of SE Portland with any fire related questions!

Cooking

It seems everyone in Portland loves to cook and eat, but it is important to practice your culinary skills in a safe manner.  Fires caused by cooking are the number one cause of fires in Portland. Who doesn’t like deep fat fried foods? If you do indulge be cautious since frying with oil is one of the main reasons cooking-related fires start. Others include flammables near the stovetop or other hot surfaces, leaving the area while cooking, faulty appliances and cooking while impaired.  So, enjoy cooking, just remember to be safe. 

Cigarettes

Not only do cigarettes send smoke into your lungs, but they can also bring your home or business up in smoke as one of the main leading causes of fires in Salem.

Electrical Safety

Do you have old outdated appliances or outlets? Well, here's your excuse to buy some new ones, faulty wiring and old appliances big and small can cause electrical fires.  Need a reason to update your lighting? Well, light fixtures, lamps and light bulbs can also be dangerous causing accidental fires. As if that's not enough using extension cords and space heaters and more can ignite their surroundings. 

Home Heating Equipment

Just like space heaters old or new, there are other home heating methods that may cause a fire. For instance, a wood stove, fireplace, gas or electric heat should be inspected to ensure they are functioning properly to prevent a possible fire. 

Candle Safety

Candles are great. They come in a variety of pleasant scents, they create a peaceful atmosphere and they're a good last minute gift for that co-worker you may not know so well. But as wonderful as they are they can pose a fiery threat to your home is left unattended. 

Baddest in the West!

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

We are fully prepared and ready to help with anything that comes our way!

SERVPRO of Southeast Portland is the best choice for any size disaster. Our restoration company is great for three simple reasons. We are faster, properly equipped, and perfectly resourced.

As a locally owned and operated franchise, we will quickly travel to your location in the event of any disaster. As your neighbor, we will be there in a moments notice. We know just how frustrating and troubling a problem can be, and we never want our customers to have to wait during a stressful moment such as this. Our specialized teams can respond immediately to restore your property during a storm.

Here at SERVPRO of Southeast Portland we specialize in flood and storm damage and have an immense collection of tools and equipment to take care of any size disaster. We only use state of the art equipment and we are constantly updating our inventory to offer our customers the best service. If you need three fans, or well over 100, we have the tools and the team necessary to get the job done.

We are an independently owned franchise of the largest restoration company in the country. Our brand has grown to several thousand franchises because we have the resources necessary for any type of disaster at our disposal. Our outstanding Disaster Relief Team is strategically placed throughout the country to respond to any area immediately. Give us a call and we will be there to get your life back to normal.