Managing Debris Removal after Fire Damage in Downtown Knoxville

11/12/2023 (Permalink)

After a fire, property owners want the fire damage remediated swiftly. Contact SERVPRO for certified technicians who are here to help you.

SERVPRO® Handles Downtown Knoxville Fire Cleanup Safely

Downtown Knoxville is a dynamic and culturally rich district in East Tennessee. One of the hallmarks of this area is its vibrant arts and cultural scene. The district is home to the Knoxville Museum of Art, offering an impressive contemporary and classical art collection. The Bijou Theatre, a century-old venue, showcases many live performances, from Broadway shows to stand-up comedy, making it a cultural gem within the city.

After a fire damage incident in Downtown Knoxville, the debris left can be extensive and diverse, posing various challenges to property owners. The type and extent of debris can vary depending on the intensity of the fire, the materials involved, and the effectiveness of firefighting efforts. Waste containing smoke residues can persistently emit smoke odors if not properly removed. Debris may also cause hazards such as trips and falls. Prompt debris removal expedites the recovery process. It clears the path for reconstruction and rebuilding.

Professional restoration teams play a crucial role in debris removal. Their expertise and specialized equipment ensure the cleanup process is safe, thorough, and efficient. SERVPRO teams are well-trained in safety protocols and are equipped with the appropriate PPEs. We know how to identify and mitigate potential hazards in a fire-damaged environment.

Common types of debris to expect after fire damage

• Burnt structural materials
• Electrical and plumbing debris
• Melted items
• Unsalvageable home contents  

Ensuring Safe Disposal of Debris

SERVPRO crews categorize debris into different types, separating burnt materials, hazardous waste, salvageable items, and non-hazardous waste. This ensures that each kind is disposed of appropriately and complies with local regulations. Some things may need to be transported to a specific waste disposal facility.

Supplies we use in debris removal and disposal

• Essential hand tools like shovels and rakes
• Respirators and dust masks
• Heavy-duty plastic bags and containers

SERVPRO of Rocky Hill / Sequoyah Hills / South Knoxville provides meticulous cleanup after fire damage. Call us at (865) 862-8907. Here to Help®

Water Damage Cleanup in Knoxville Homes Requires Fast Intervention

9/8/2023 (Permalink)

Hire SERVPRO® for Water Damage Cleanup in Knoxville

Any water damage incident can cause progressive further damage and expenses as the hours proceed. Prompt repairs help prevent structural damage.

SERVPRO has a dedicated team for water damage cleanup in affected Knoxville homes. Our team comprises certified, skilled, experienced and certified technicians. Costs and budgets are another concern regarding water damage repairs. Various factors can increase the cost of repairing water damage. They include:

• The extent of the restoration work required.
• The types of ruined materials.
• The water depth and the home’s affected area.
• The water source. 

Expenses should not be a significant concern when you use SERVPRO’s customer-oriented services. We have designed our flexible services to accommodate individual preferences and needs. Our pricing is flexible and upfront. Our water cleanup services include the following steps:

Inspection

Our team can identify the source and extent of the damage. Using moisture meters, and flir cameras our crew can determine the extent of water penetration in floors, carpets, and walls.

Water removal

We can take every necessary measure to eliminate water and moisture vapor from your property. We can use an electric submersible pump to extract the water. We can use subfloor drying systems, floor drying systems, and wood-drying systems as necessary.

Salvaging valuable items

Our SERVPRO team can use effective techniques and tools to restore fragile or delicate items. We also provide pack-out services for contents requiring repairs through specialized facilities. Our crew can help you to inventory the contents, pack them out, and redeliver them after restoration.

Odor removal

Excess moisture can cause unpleasant odors. We can use various procedures to deal with odors. For instance, to remove smells from carpeting, our SERVPRO technicians can treat both sides of the floor and carpet with a suitable EPA-registered disinfectant following extraction. We can deodorize hard surface floors by fogging with appropriate odor control or an appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant.

SERVPRO of Rocky Hill / Sequoyah Hills / South Knoxville offers hassle-free water damage cleanup services. We work 24/7 to restore properties to their pre-damaged state. Call us any time at (865) 862-8907. 

Focuses of Water Cleanup for Downtown Knoxville Office Buildings

5/11/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage from one office can spread to neighboring portions of the building.

Challenging Water Cleanup in Multi-Story Buildings

Downtown Knoxville features many skyscrapers and multi-level office buildings for several companies stationed in the city. When leaks and water damage occur, these structures require cleanup and drying to restore production and workflow. Our fast-responding SERVPRO team can help.

Concerns with Water Damage in Multi-Story Structures

Water cleanup in Downtown Knoxville can be challenging when the damaged area is far from the ground floor. Significant coordination and planning are necessary for a limited time window to impact the spreading water and avoid more substantial damage. Concerns for high-rise buildings include:

• Spread to neighboring portions of the building
• Moisture migration through structural systems
• Confined space cleanup and drying
• Challenge accessing damaged areas with traditional equipment

Extraction Efforts 

Managing extraction is the greatest challenge in overcoming water damage in a high-rise commercial structure. High-pressure pumps are the ideal choice when volume is a concern. Wet vacuums and other portable equipment meet most extraction and surface water removal requirements.

Content Removal and Relocation

Office buildings with water damage must have restorers managing exposed furniture, documents, electronics, and machinery. In addition, our mitigation team can help with item relocation on-site and provide cleaning and storage services nearby at our warehouse if necessary.

Placing Drying Equipment

Structural drying is also relative to the equipment that can be brought to the damaged level of the building. Often, effective drying is a combination of high-velocity air movers and dehumidifiers, including trailered desiccant models with quick connect hosing to reach multiple portions of a damaged office building simultaneously.

Water damage cleanup and recovery services should start right away. We have professionals ready to respond 24/7 for emergencies. In addition, our SERVPRO of Rocky Hill / Sequoyah Hills / South Knoxville Large Loss recovery team has industry-leading tools and training to help. Call us at (865) 862-8907.

The Most Common Causes of Water Damage in Knoxville Homes

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

If your home has endured water damage, SERVPRO is Here to Help

SERVPRO Water Damage Mitigation Specialists Restore Knoxville Residences After Disaster Occurs

Water damage is among the most common disasters in the United States and can impact a property without warning. Miniscule perforations in pipes, damaged gaskets, leaky supply lines, and fixture failures are just a few of the many causes of water damage Knoxville homeowners have to endure. Worse still, these disasters can go unnoticed for days or weeks in some situations, leading to skyrocketing water bills, structural damage, and mold proliferation.

SERVPRO water cleanup professionals provide Knoxville properties with water damage removal services 24/7, even on holidays. Disasters do not impact properties on a predictable schedule, and even minor incidents can quickly escalate into more significant problems. With this in mind, SERVPRO professionals can quickly restore homes affected by water damage to minimize repair and replacement needs.

The Most Common Causes of Residential Water Damage

While homeowners may be concerned about how weather can impact their properties, the truth is that a considerable amount of water damage results from non-weather sources. Temperature changes or lacking insulation alone can affect the integrity of plumbing or appliances.

• Plumbing-related disasters are easily among the most common for water damage cleanup. Worn threading, loose pipe joints, perforations, and ruptures from frozen pipes or clogged pipes all can introduce hundreds of gallons of water into a property in a short period
• Appliances that rely on water, such as dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators, can experience supply line leaks, torn door gaskets, and drainpipe clogs that impact flooring, drywall, cabinetry, and other nearby materials
• Drain clogs can also create issues in other water-using appliances. A toilet clog can impact sinks or showers, for example
• Some water damage is accidental. A busy homeowner may start running a bathtub and leave it running enough to overflow or run the dishwasher without closing the door all the way

Whatever the cause may be, SERVPRO tools and knowledge can safely sanitize and remediate structures and contents to a clean, dry condition.

SERVPRO Moisture Extraction Equipment for Various Water-Impacted Surfaces

SERVPRO technicians can implement water extraction with a suite of tools tailored to multiple water damage scenarios.

• Smaller-scale damages, or moisture in hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, can be addressed with portable extractors, which provide approximately 140 inches of water lift in ideal conditions. These units come with sanitation solution and wastewater tanks that each carry between five and 12 gallons
• Truck-mounted units are designed for large amounts of moisture affecting a property. These units can weigh up to about half a ton and can store dozens of gallons of water
• Specialized tools are available for salvaging carpet, including carpet wands, rover vacuums, and submersible pumps

Moisture extractors eliminate the bulk of excess water in and on surfaces, including upholstery and carpet, to accelerate the drying process, performed with carefully-positioned air movers and dehumidification units. Most water damage scenarios are likely to rely on low-grain refrigerant coil dehumidifiers. Depending on the structural materials affected and the power sources available, desiccant dehumidification can be a more effective choice.

When water homeowners need water removal services that make a property look and feel “Like it never even happened,” they can contact SERVPRO of Rocky Hills / Sequoyah Hills / South Knoxville at (865) 862-8907.

Knoxville Homeowners Eliminate Fire Damage Stains and Odors

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

After the heroic first responders have extinguished the fire, Call SERVPRO for fire damage restoration.

Knoxville SERVPRO Fire Damage Mitigation Addresses Stains, Odors, Residues, and Debris

Whether it comes from cooking, electrical component ignition, or even lit candles, residential fire damage can leave behind residues and odors that are challenging to mitigate in full. While wet and dry cleaning options are available for homeowners, a “do-it-yourself” solution does not guarantee that the problems created by smoke damage, namely acidic soot stains and fire odors, can be removed entirely.

SERVPRO fire damage cleanup specialists can restore Knoxville homes to a safe, clean, pre-fire state. Services offered by this Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) accredited firm include debris removal, controlled demolition, sanitation with EPA-registered biocides, odor control, and rebuilding.

What Makes Fire Damage Stains So Difficult to Remove?

Fire and smoke damage cleanup requires a specific level of care that might not be immediately obvious to homeowners seeking to clean their properties themselves. On top of that, cleaning the damage without the right tools and knowledge can cause further damage to structures and contents, which can impact compensation efforts from a home insurance provider.

• Soot clings to a wide array of surfaces. It seeps into porous and unfinished materials and settles in the nooks and crannies. It can also clog up HVAC systems and etch into ceramics and glass without delicate treatment
• Fire damage residues typically require gentle cleaning before moving on to more heavy-duty solutions. Moving from light soils to heavier ones during cleanup minimizes the potential for secondary damages from spreading soot
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a must for keeping home occupants safe. Soot and fire odors can heavily impact comfort and indoor air quality. In the event of a fire that required water for fire suppression, there is a chance that mold is present if suppression services were rendered more than 24 to 48 hours before cleanup efforts commenced

Because of the risks, level of care, and potential for secondary damages caused by fire and smoke damage, fire damage restoration specialists are highly recommended for a more comprehensive and safe cleanup after a residential structure fire.

SERVPRO Fire Damage Stain and Odor Removal Tools

SERVPRO fire restoration technicians can respond to residential cleanup calls in as little as several hours. After inspecting the property for damage and formulating a cleanup plan, technicians can:

• Use dry cleaning sponges, Crumbly Cleaner, dust cloths, and gentle agitating tools to dislodge dry soot from surfaces for collection with HEPA-filter vacuums
• Deploy OSHA-approved wet cleaning solutions, including detergents and alkaline cleaners, for more moderate stains and residues from fires
• Eliminate protein residues from burnt meat–typically a result of cooking fires–by turning them into water-soluble byproducts for cleanup by SERVPRO’s enzyme digesters
• Salvage heavily charred wood furniture and structural materials with abrasion cleaning. Soda ash, one of the more commonly-used blast media, also deodorizes to an extent
• SERVPRO odor control with dry solvent-emitting thermal foggers, HVAC system cleanup, and time-release capsules, among other solutions, can eliminate odors on the particle level instead of merely masking them

We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster and ready to serve the community after fire damage strikes. Call SERVPRO of Rocky Hills / Sequoyah Hills / South Knoxville for assistance at (865) 862-8907.

SERVPRO Mitigates Knoxville Mold Damage

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

Mold can appear suddenly and spread quickly throughout your home. Call our certified SERVPRO team to root out the cause and remediate any damage.

SERVPRO Mold Damage Remediation Is Available 24/7 for Knoxville Homeowners

According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, approximately 30% of homes worldwide are impacted by excess mold. Knoxville homeowners need a fast-responding mold remediation solution that returns their property to a safe, almost mold-free condition.

SERVPRO professionals aid property owners with sophisticated tools and technologies for mold damage mitigation in Knoxville. Techs handle every step of the remediation process, from mold inspection to rebuilding structures impacted enough by mold to require demolition. While total mold removal is not possible due to microbes in all indoor and outdoor spaces, SERVPRO tools can mitigate microbes to a pre-disaster condition.

Home Solutions for Knoxville Mold Damage Mitigation

Mold cleanup for homeowners is not an advisable venture to pursue. Mold remediation professionals like those at SERVPRO can keep homeowners safe from microbes while mitigating per Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) specifications.

Considerations homeowners should take into account include:

• Personal protective equipment is a must for safely handling mold to minimize risks posed by exposure
• Mold spores can spread quickly through movements that jostle microbes, which allows them to float to other spaces, settle on surfaces, and digest more items
• Handling home contents exposed to microbial growth can unintentionally spread spores around the property

Certified SERVPRO mold mitigation technicians can safely sanitize spaces with EPA-registered antimicrobials, perform odor control, and establish containment and decontamination areas to prevent mold from spreading and potentially creating further damage.

SERVPRO Availability Ensures Around-the-Clock Mold Cleanup

This 24-hour restoration crew’s commitment to the community ensures that, whether the mold is discovered late at night, over the weekend, or even during a significant holiday, SERVPRO can begin remediation within hours of a Knoxville property owner’s first call to the firm. This approach is crucial for a multitude of reasons, including:

• SERVPRO’s 24/7 responsiveness minimizes further damage to a home’s structural materials and contents with mold remediation tools that meet restoration industry–and SERVPRO standards
• SERVPRO moisture extraction and structural drying equipment can mitigate moisture that accelerates mold growth and allows microbes to thrive on porous surfaces
• Technicians utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform mold remediation. Containment protocols, such as sealing doorways and ventilation systems, prevent spores from migrating to other rooms
• SERVPRO professionals can also clean HVAC systems to remediate mold to pre-contamination levels

Knoxville homes can also benefit from SERVPRO’s emergency-response inspection processes and controlled demolition of unsalvageable materials. Commercial-grade restoration equipment also allows mold remediation technicians to safely remove spores and clusters from a residence without the accidental spread of spores. HEPA-filtered air scrubbers and vacuums aid in collecting spores as well.

Odor control specialists can address pungent mold odors through such methods as ultra low-volume fogging, manual cleaning, pump sprayer applications, and immersion cleaning for salvageable items.

Homeowners seeking fast-acting mold damage remediation can contact SERVPRO of Rocky Hills / Sequoyah Hills / South Knoxville at (865) 862-8907 to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Mold Removal Solutions from Knoxville Bathrooms 

4/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO performs controlled a controlled demolition to remove mold damage in a Knoxville bathroom.

SERVPRO Understands Mold Removal Your Home Needs

Certain rooms of your home are more likely to eventually experience mold, including the bathroom. The moisture typically produced in the room from steam and the potential for leaks make materials in the bathroom suitable for hosting mold colonies. When bathroom mold growth occurs, you need remediation specialists to remove these organisms and help prevent the situation from recurring.

The Mold-Damaged Materials

Beginning mold removal in your Knoxville bathroom starts with understanding the materials affected. Several installations in this room can support mold growth, so the solution for remediation and removing the growth varies based on factors like severity, humidity, and accessibility. However, we can effectively remediate mold development on the:

• Drywall - In most cases, we remove portions of mold-damaged drywall to effectively remove the threat and install a clean, unsullied surface material.
• Trim - When we remove drywall, we also eliminate the border in front of it, which is also a target for spreading spores. 
• Flooring - Water-resistant materials in the bathroom are common, but this does not exclude them from potential mold growth on grout joints or on the surface of the vinyl and wood planks. 
• Vanity- Structural elements of porous materials like particleboard and pressed wood are attractive locations for mold growth. Excessive damage to vanities could require the base cabinet getting replaced. 

Preventing Mold from Returning to the Bathroom

With a general contractor license, we have several steps that can be taken to avoid recurring mold threats in the house. Even with the bathroom being a location likely to experience steam and water damage, steps like mold-inhibiting products, installing appropriate ventilation, and repairing structural vulnerabilities can be vital in avoiding more damage in the future.

Mold can be one of the unfortunate situations you face as a homeowner. SERVPRO of Rocky Hill / Sequoyah Hills / South Knoxville can help clean up the mess these organisms can make and safeguard your property against its reformation. Call our professionals at (865) 862-8907.

General Content Cleaning Counts During Fire Damage Restoration in Knoxville

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

Clearing the indoor air of fire-causing particles is crucial for Knoxville occupants. "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Uses Advanced Equipment for Fire Damage Cleanup in Knoxville

Fire damage restoration services are meant to give relief to property owners after the fire has been put out. You're mistaken if you thought you could relax once the fire is extinguished. When smoke and soot particles mix with the water used to extinguish the fire, corrosive acids may form, which are likely to cause additional damage to the walls, ceilings, and other personal belongings.

The safety of the occupants is usually given the highest priority during fire damage cleanup in Knoxville. After that, cleaning and restoring the affected items should follow. Our SERVPRO technicians perform general content cleaning to remove soot, odor, smoke, and other contaminants from your electronics, clothing, furniture, and more.

An air scrubber is one of the key devices that our SERVPRO technicians use to remove contaminants from the air. It uses both chemical and mechanical means to do the cleaning. The following explains the mechanism behind its operations:

• Chemical filtration: During smoke odor removal, the air is passed over activated carbon, and the contaminants get absorbed and neutralized. For high levels of efficiency, the carbon gets reactivated or replaced after some time.
• Mechanical filtration: Air is passed over a series of filters (HEPA filter) and then released back into the environment after the filtration of contaminants.
• Ozone generation: Some scrubbers use ozone gas to oxidize and neutralize pollutants leaving the air odor-free and clean.
• UV light: UV light is used in some scrubbers to break down the DNA of viruses, bacteria, and mold spores. When that happens, they cannot reproduce, reducing the chances of further contamination.

Our SERVPRO technicians have the knowledge to determine which air scrubber or odor removal technique is suitable for a particular situation. Sometimes, we may be forced to combine several methods for an effective restoration process.

Contact SERVPRO of Rocky Hill / Sequoyah Hills / South Knoxville at (865) 862-8907 for effective content cleaning and restoration after a fire damage experience. We use professional equipment and techniques to do the job correctly the first time. Call us when an emergency happens to make it "Like it never even happened

Water Damage in Confined Spaces in Knoxville Homes – Call SERVPRO

2/21/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage mitigation to a Knoxville area home crawlspace can improve IAQ. Indoor Air Quality and protect your home's structure.

Water Damage in Crawl Spaces and Attics Present Unique Challenges in Knoxville Homes

Confined spaces are often difficult to enter and exit in Knoxville homes. Entry may be through a small trap door, there is little ventilation, and they are difficult to move around in. Plumbing leaks are common in these areas and may go unnoticed for days or weeks, depending on the size of the leak. These dark, poorly ventilated spaces are perfect for damage to insulation and structures in these spaces.

SERVPRO provides water damage restoration and cleanup in Knoxville and surrounding areas. Confined spaces present additional challenges to anyone entering the space in addition to difficult entry and exit.

• Rodent droppings may be present in attics and crawl spaces.
• Mold may be present in long-term leakage situations (Note mold can begin forming in 24 to 48 hours with the right conditions)
• Gas lines and electrical wiring may be compromised.
• Sewer gas may be present in crawl spaces.

Our SERVPRO technicians have been trained to manage these conditions and utilize the appropriate safety equipment to ensure our employees and residents of the home are safe. While it is tempting for clients to make plumbing repairs and clean up water damage themselves, the potential danger to their health and well-being should be considered.

We utilize various techniques to remove water, lower the humidity, and complete repair to the space affected by water. These include:

• Utilize personal protective gear for safe handling of material
• Verify and correct the cause of water intrusion
• Utilize water extractors – pumps, wands, moisture meters, etc.
• Introduce air movers to provide fresh dry air
• Remove permanently damaged contents, i.e., insulation
• Install dehumidifiers to dry the affected area
• Complete water damage repair and restoration as needed

SERVPRO assesses the situation and prepares recommendations for the client regarding the best approach for water damage in confined spaces.

Call SERVPRO of Rocky Hill / Sequoyah Hills / South Knoxville for water restoration services. We provide service to Knoxville and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (865) 862-8907.

Water Mitigation Happens Fast in Knoxville with SERVPRO

1/9/2023 (Permalink)

Storm damage? Call SERVPRO. We can quickly dry and restore your home.

Water Mitigation by SERVPRO Saves Knoxville Homes from Extensive Damage

Natural disasters like storms can cause extensive structural damage to your home. If water mitigation of your Knoxville property is not done promptly, it can lead to issues that can take a lot of money and time to restore. SERVPRO’s IICRC-certified professionals use state-of-the-art technology to remove the water and dry the structure before water can permanently harm the building materials. 

SERVPRO’s professional water mitigation services in Knoxville can help reduce the extent of the damage and restore your home to preloss condition as quickly as possible.

Role of Air Movement in Water Restoration

Air movement within the structure is crucial for drying. SERVPRO techs create conditions where the drying air flows across the wet surfaces, gathering excess moisture. The two characteristics of air that make it excellent for drying include the following-

• Low moisture content: Water vapor moves from a region of high vapor pressure to an area of low vapor pressure. As vapor pressure is directly related to the humidity ratio, evaporation occurs faster when the air above the wet surface has a low humidity ratio. SERVPRO techs use dehumidifiers to remove the moisture from the drying air and reduce the humidity to accelerate drying during water damage repairs.
• Temperature: Evaporation occurs faster when air directly above the wet surface is warmer than the sir’s dew point temperature. Techs use portable heaters to ensure the drying air temperature exceeds its dew point.

Why are Drying Zones Important During Water Cleanup?

SERVPRO techs establish drying zones to ensure that they can carefully control the parameters of the drying air to maximize the efficacy of drying. Rather than controlling the conditions throughout the structure, techs create areas where conditions are easier to manage.

Call SERVPRO of Rocky Hill / Sequoyah Hills / South Knoxville at (865) 862-8907 for 24/7 help.