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Commercial fires can be challenging for restorers, not every restoration company has the resources, organizational skills, or desire to handle commercial losses. Priorities for commercial losses can be very different than residential losses. Commercial insurance coverage is similar to residential insurance but some distinctions between them present unique challenges for restorers. In severe residential fire […]

Sudden and accidental property damage can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. Most folks go through life without ever having to deal with such an event. Others will find themselves thrust into this situation without warning. Life is hard enough dealing with day-to-day occurrences that challenge our inner strength and resolve. Usually these happen with […]

It’s What You Don’t See that You Should be Concerned With… The Scenario You’ve had a fire and filed a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. Your insurance company sent out a claims handler (adjuster) to inspect the damage and verify coverage. That should be the extent of the insurance company involvement, other than issue […]

In late February, we were brought in to restore a town home in Fairfax that had an accidental fire in the kitchen. Even though the fire was not a cooking-related event, kitchens often contain an ample supply of fuel. These combustible items, such as wooden wall cabinets and drawers, and a large quantity of plastics […]

What Causes Mold Growth? Damage from fire and smoke losses vary in intensity and distribution depending on four factors that are required for combustion to occur:

Black Soot Deposition (BSD) and Furnace Puff Backs The idiom stating “where there’s smoke there’s fire” is really describing that when a group of people who suspect someone has done something wrong, there is likely good reason to believe them. The same goes in fire damage restoration; if you see smoke, there is good reason […]

In our line of work customers often have parting words after we have helped them restore their home and household goods; “you guys were great and I hope I never have to see you again”. Which, on the surface, sounds rather blunt and hurtful. Once you realize what they are really trying to say is […]

No two fires are identical but certain similarities suggest the damaging effects from the fire can often be called ‘typical’. We encountered a non-typical fire scenario in a townhouse in Alexandria, VA earlier this year. How did this fire start? First, this fire occurred due to a plumber’s negligence while working in a third-floor bathroom. […]

Every fire is unique as there are many factors that contribute to the extent of damage and, more importantly, the extent of restorability. There is no such thing as ’typical’ fire damage. During an active fire, heat, fuel, oxygen and a chain reaction combine which causes materials to combust. Smoke is the visible product of […]

After a fire who decides whether to replace or restore items in the home? Fire damage can range from slight to total destruction. After minor fires, cleaning alone may remove all of the smoke and odor damage to personal property. After a severe fire, it is likely that very little and possibly none of the […]