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Home » Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration – Chicago IL

Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration – Chicago IL

Fire Damage Restoration - Smoke Damage Restoration - Fire Mitigation - Smoke Mitigation - ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons - Chicago IL - Oak Park IL

Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Chicago IL – ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons – IICRC Certified Master Fire & Smoke Restorer

 

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Chicago’s Trusted Name In Disaster Cleanup & Restoration, Provides Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration For Residential & Commercial Properties In Chicago IL. Cleaning and Restoring Chicago’s Homes & Businesses For Over 65 Years!

 

 

Who Can I Call For Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Near Me?

 

Immediately call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons. We provide professional Fire Damage Restoration & Smoke Damage Restoration for residential and commercial properties in Chicago & the suburbs. As an IICRC Certified Master Fire Restoration Firm and a member of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a leader in Fire Damage Cleaning & Restoration Services in northeast Illinois. We use state-of-the-art equipment and cleaning solutions to get your property to pre-loss conditions — FAST! With two convenient locations in Chicago and Chicago’s North Shore, ServiceMaster By Simons is the trusted name in Cleaning & Restoration. For more information on the processes we take in Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration of your property, click here.

 

Do I Need Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration?

 

The quick answer is YES. If you’re researching Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration or you are looking for answers, then it must be a significant enough event in your mind to require professional attention. Call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons for a consultation with one of our IICRC Certified Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration project managers. We’ll perform an assessment of your property by visually inspecting for soot damage and signs of char, determining smoke odor, and determining the class/type of fire or smoke damage that has occurred.

 

What Are The Common Types Of Fires That Can Occur?

 

  • Protein Fire
    Food from the oven or stove has burned, leaving strong burnt food odors and smoke residue on contents and surfaces.
  • Complex Fire
    Multiple natural and synthetic items inside your home have burned to cause black smoke residue on contents and surfaces and synthetic smoke odors. Here, emergency corrosion mitigation is needed to protect at-risk surfaces
  • Natural Fire
    Trees, shrubs, and bushes have burned and smoke has penetrated the structure from outside, so 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.

 

Are There Different Classes of Smoke & Fire Damage to Properties in Chicago & Suburbs?

 

Yes, in fact, there are six definitive classes of Fire & Smoke Damage. When our IICRC Certified ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons project managers conduct a Fire & Smoke Damage assessment of your property, we take several things into account, including the Class of Fire that has affected your property. Click on this link to learn about the six classes of Fire & Smoke Damage to properties.

 

What is Primary vs. Secondary Fire Damage?

 

Insurance companies divide Fire & Smoke Damage into two categories, namely, primary and secondary. Our fire damage restoration professionals can help you determine how your property has been affected, but here is a brief explanation of the two categories of fire.

 

  • Primary Fire Damage
    • Primary Fire Damage refers to damage that occurs as a direct result of flames, including damage to Commercial & Residential buildings and their contents.

 

  • Secondary Fire Damage
    • Secondary Fire Damage refers to damage to a Commercial or Residential property by smoke, soot, or other corrosive substances that are a direct by-product of the fire itself. Secondary Fire Damage accounts for most of the damage done to homes and businesses.

 

 

Does ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons Fire Restoration Services Include Help With the Insurance Process?

 

Absolutely. As a QRV or Quality Restoration Vendor,

ServiceMaster By Simons is part of the elite group of national ServiceMaster franchises chosen to take part in the national contract agreements with most major insurance companies. That means that we follow the strict guidelines administered by these insurance companies and provide a direct pipeline to your insurance company. It also means that you don’t have to be the middle-person in the process. When applicable, we work directly with your insurance to make sure that your property is properly restored after a Fire & Smoke Damage.

 

 

 

What Kind of Fire & Smoke Damage Cleaning Do Your Fire Restoration Contractors Provide?

 

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons provides Structural Cleaning and Content Cleaning for Chicago & Suburban properties that have been affected by Smoke or Fire Damage. The following is a brief description of those services.

 

  • Structural Cleaning Services
    • Structural Cleaning involves the cleaning of the property itself. This includes soot sponging of walls & ceilings, including crown molding and baseboards.
    • In some cases, using a soft detergent to clean walls & ceilings.
    • Cleaning of floors, doors, and windows.
    • Cleaning of all flat surfaces including countertops and windowsills.
    • Cleaning of all ventilation and duct systems for HVAC.

 

  • Content Cleaning Services
    • Cleaning of all soft goods including garments, drapes, bedding, carpet & upholstery.
    • Cleaning of all electronics, appliances
    • Drying and restoration of documents
    • Art Restoration
    • Cleaning of bookshelves, shelving, furnishings, and light fixtures.

 

 

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons provides the following Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Services:

 

  • Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration for Home-owners
  • Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration for Business-owners
  • Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration for Places of Worship
  • Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration for Educational Institutions
  • Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration for Multi-Family Properties
  • Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration for Manufacturing Facilities

 

For fast, professional Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration services in Chicago and the suburbs, call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons. As Chicagoland’s trusted name in the cleaning & restoration industry for more than 65 years, ServiceMaster By Simons offers guidance and expertise in disaster restoration and specialty cleaning. Call us now at 773-376-1110 or toll-free at 855-9-SIMONS (855-974-6667).

 

UNDERSTANDING SMOKE & FIRE DAMAGE

 

During a fire, smoke is driven by heat created by flames. No matter where the fire originates, smoke may penetrate a building structure. Smoke also combines with humidity and can form corrosive residues that may cause secondary damage. Long after the fire is put out, the damage can continue, as remaining free-floating smoke settles on horizontal surfaces and contents.

 

Fire does burn, but the residual smoke may burn as well. This is sometimes called etching, pitting, or chemical burning. Quick response and action are critical. The more time that elapses before the fire or smoke damage cleanup begins, the greater the losses.

 

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a highly reputable, licensed, insured, and endorsed provider of smoke and fire restoration services. In addition to our years of experience, our uniformed Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration technicians have completed advanced training in fire mitigation, restoration systems, and corrosion control. We also require continuing education to learn about new techniques and equipment to better serve you in your time of need.

 

It is our goal to restore your property as quickly and efficiently as possible. Depending on the source, nature, and size of the fire, the cleaning and restoration may require several phases before completion.

 

While each fire or smoke loss is unique, the information on this web page is general. However, we hope it will help answer your questions and aid you in understanding the processes and procedures for restoring your property. We understand that as the property owner, you deserve clear and thorough communication, and we will give our full cooperation to both you and your insurance claims representative.

 

 

RESTORE VERSUS REPLACE DECISIONS

 

We work to restore all property to a pre-loss condition when possible. Some items cannot be restored. Others could cost more to restore than they are actually worth. We will advise you and your insurance claim representative and explain the limits of what we as professional restorers can do.

 

ONLY CHECKED ITEMS NEED TO BE DONE TO YOUR PROPERTY

 

The following information is a checklist of services and items that may need to be addressed in order to restore and protect your property, along with a brief explanation.

Our ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration technicians will walk you through this checklist. While not all of the items will apply, this information will help you understand the procedures involved in restoring your property.

We have identified the type of fire and smoke problem and the scope of the damage. The assessment includes a thorough visual inspection with photo documentation to determine the extent of the damage, enabling us to form the most effective plan for returning your property to pre-loss condition as quickly as possible. To ensure proper claims investigation, the area where the fire started must be secured and undisturbed until released for cleaning by your insurance representative.

 

Your fire or smoke damage has been caused by one or more of the following TYPES OF FIRE:

 

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

 

Complex Fire
Multiple natural and synthetic items inside the structure have burned; the 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 (for 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.

 

 

EMERGENCY SERVICES

 

Board up or cover with a tarp to secure the property or protect it from the elements. Inspect furnace or air conditioner unit; replace the furnace filter, cover supply and return air vents to prevent cross-contamination of smoke and odor into other areas; clean and deodorize ductwork.

Turn off electrical power to address safety concerns

Restore electrical power to use lighting and restoration equipment

Remove debris to clear a way for complete fire & smoke damage restoration and provide for worker and occupant safety.

 

PERFORM EMERGENCY WATER DAMAGE MITIGATION

 

Extract excess water remaining from firefighting; check flooring and structural components for remaining moisture; set up drying and dehumidification equipment.

 

PERFORM EMERGENCY CORROSION MITIGATION

 

Corrosive by-products from smoke residues can cause irreversible damage quickly; removing smoke residues and treating at-risk surfaces with a corrosion inhibitor will protect these items. Examples of at-risk surfaces: are marble, stone, grout, aluminum, glass, fixtures, appliances, etc.

Empty refrigerators or freezers to prevent spoiling and associated odors; empty food cabinets; dispose of spoiled food items. Note: We recommend you keep a list of all disposed of items.

Begin initial odor control measures such as ventilation to air out the property, application of deodorizers, placement of air filtration units, etc.

Arrange for emergency laundry/dry cleaning for several clothing changes for immediate use while the remainder of your clothing is restored.

 

ODOR CONTROL SERVICES

Smoke and odor particles continue to be airborne many days after the fire has stopped. Removal of severe odors from fire and smoke damage requires a variety of professional products, systems, and specialty equipment. Often multiple treatments are necessary during the restoration process.

 

Air Scrubbers

Air scrubbers use High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration to remove these particles from the air, enhancing the efficiency for cleaning and clearing the air for safe breathing. Please do not move or turn off this equipment.

 

Thermal Fogging

This process neutralizes odor, using a strong deodorizer that penetrates everywhere the smoke travels and will require the removal of pets, plants, and human occupants for a short period of time.

 

Ozone

Ozone is an oxidizing agent produced by a portable ozone generator. This process will require the removal of pets, plants and human occupants for a short period of time.

 

OdorKlenz Technology

This environmentally-friendly deodorizing process removes odors and particulates using OdorKlenz air cartridges in traditional air scrubbers. Safe for people, pets and plants.

 

RESTORATION SERVICES

 

Restoration of Laundry / Dry Cleaning

Because fire & smoke damage requires a special form of dry cleaning, this service will be performed by a restoration dry cleaner. Includes inventory control and documentation of clothing and textiles, including bedding, window coverings, etc.

 

Carpet & Furniture Cleaning

Includes inspection, pretesting, professional cleaning and deodorization, speed drying, and covering to protect during structural restoration. This may include reapplication of stain protection.

 

Structural Restoration

Structural restoration includes cleaning ceilings and walls, as well as cleaning, polishing, and deodorizing woodwork.

 

Closets, attics, cabinets, and drawers

These areas are sources of trapped smoke odor and require thorough cleaning, deodorization, and airing out.

 

Hard Surface Floor Cleaning

Includes inspection and cleaning of marble, stone, tile, wood, laminate, and other floorings. Floors will then be covered for protection during structural restoration.

 

Separate Items

We will work with you and your insurance claims representative in the decision-making process on items we cannot clean or restore.

 

HARD AND SOFT CONTENTS RESTORATION

 

We have advanced products and systems for restoring different smoke-damaged contents, whether furniture and upholstery, knick-knacks, or other belongings.

 

Hand Washing and Drying

Items are carefully cleaned by hand. Care is taken to use dry methods with water-sensitive items.

 

Ultrasonic Cleaning

Ultrasonic tanks are used to clean certain items. Some items that might be cleaned ultrasonically are blinds, collectibles, and other smaller contents.

 

Furniture and Upholstery Cleaning

This requires specialty equipment, products and technicians trained and certified in furniture restoration.

 

Contents Restoration will be performed:

On-site or at our Warehouse Facility.

 

Pack-out Services will be performed by:

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons or a Qualified Moving Sub-Contractor.

 

Moving Services will be handled by:

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons or a Qualified Moving Sub-Contractor.

Some items may require a specific, qualified restorer such as appliances, electronics, HVAC systems, furniture, textiles, antiques, etc. If so, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons will work with your insurance company to manage this process for you.