Christmas Tree Fire Safety in Florida

12/5/2023 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, we can give you Christmas tree fire safety advice in Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Atlantic Beach, and Neptune Beach, FL.

Christmas Tree Fire Safety Tips

Christmas trees can be a beautiful and festive addition to any home during the holiday season, but it’s important to remember that they can also be a fire hazard if not properly cared for. While the lights and decorations may be appealing, they can also be dangerous. Here are a few tips from SERVPRO to help ensure the safety of your home during the holiday season.

Christmas Tree Fires

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are an average of 210 reported home fires involving Christmas trees each year in the United States. These fires result in an average of 16.2 million in property damage annually.

Christmas Tree Hazards

Christmas trees are most hazardous when they are dry and brittle, as they are more prone to catching fire in this state. However, Christmas trees can present a fire hazard at any time if they are not adequately maintained throughout the course of the holiday season.

Christmas Tree Safety

Keep your home protected from a damaging Christmas tree fire by following these practical tips:

• Choose the freshest Christmas tree, preferably one with resilient needles and sap on the trunk.
• Cut your tree stump prior to placing it in your home.
• Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, and heat vents.
• Water the tree daily to keep it hydrated and reduce the risk of it drying out or catching fire.
• Throw the tree out immediately after Christmas.
• Invest in a precautionary Christmas tree safety system.
• Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Christmas Tree Fires and Holiday Lights

The heat generated by festive lights can cause the tree to dry out and become more flammable, especially if the tree is not properly watered or if the lights are left on for long periods of time. In addition, damaged or faulty lights or extension cords can present a fire hazard if they are not properly used and maintained.

Holiday Light Safety

To reduce the risk of a Christmas tree catching fire from the lights, it’s important to follow a few simple safety measures, including:

• Use lights that are UL-approved and in good condition.
• Make sure to turn off the lights when you leave the house or go to bed.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets.
• Use extension cords that are rated for the wattage of your lights.
• Test the lights before hanging them.
• Use the recommended number of connecting light strands.

Artificial Christmas Trees

Although you may not fill your house with the smell of fresh pine, an artificial Christmas tree may be a safer option than a real one when it comes to fires. Artificial trees do not dry out and become more susceptible to catching fire over time. However, artificial trees may still pose a risk if they are left on for too long or if they are placed too close to a heat source.

Christmas Tree Fire Damage

A Christmas tree fire can cause significant property damage, depending on the size and severity of the fire. As these types of fires spread rapidly, common examples of property damage include:

• Structural damage
• Damage to furniture and personal belongings
• Water damage
• Smoke and soot damage

Choose SERVPRO for Fire Damage Restoration and Cleaning

SERVPRO is here to fill your Christmas tree fire damage restoration needs with industry-leading fire restoration and clean-up services that enable you to feel confident that you are receiving high-quality, professional service from a company with a reputation for excellence. Contact our fire restoration experts to learn more about our services.

Tips for Dealing with Mold Damage

11/14/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra Offers Tips for Dealing with Mold Damage.

Mold is Dangerous!

Molds have the potential to cause real health problems. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances called mycotoxins. Allergic reactions to mold can cause hay fever-type symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and red eyes. Mold can also cause attacks among asthma sufferers.

Because of these health risks, it’s important to deal with mold as quickly as possible and to do that you need to know what to do and what NOT to do. 

What to Do

• Call in the professionals – Mold can spread rapidly throughout your home but dealing with it isn’t a DIY project. A professional mold mitigation company has the know-how and equipment to properly treat and eliminate mold.
• Stay out of the area – If you’ve discovered mold in a particular part of the house, keep everyone, including pets, out of the area until the mold is eliminated.
• Find the source of the mold and fix it – The key to preventing mold is moisture control. Once the mold is cleaned up, make sure that you’ve fixed whatever caused the moisture, be it a broken pipe, a leaking roof, a faulty toilet, or a dishwasher.
• Use a dehumidifier – As stated, moisture control is key. Use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air.
• Isolate the area – Mold spores can be spread throughout your home via the HVAC system. If at all possible, shut off the system from the mold-affected area.

What Not to Do

• Don’t disturb the mold – Trying to remove the mold can cause it to spread. This is a risk to everyone in the household, so wait for the pros.
• Try not to sniff the mold – The smell associated with mold is the smell of dampness. Inhaling the mold can be detrimental to your health and the health of others in the house.
• Don’t bleach it – Using bleach won’t kill the mold, it will just make it appear to be gone, and the water used to dilute the chlorine can feed the mold.
• Don’t paint over it – Contrary to the marketing claims of some paints, paint doesn’t kill mold.
• Don’t blow air over the affected area – Using a fan to try to dry out the area can cause the mold to break apart and the fan can spread mold spores to other areas.

Where to Go for Help

As stated above, mold remediation is not a DIY job. The proper elimination of mold requires special techniques, cleaners, and equipment not available to the average homeowner. If you have discovered mold in your house, you need to act quickly by calling SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra. For over 40 years, SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra has been the trusted leader in the restoration industry, and we have the training and expertise to safely remove mold from your home. Our highly trained professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to quickly respond to your call for help.    

For additional information about the services we offer, visit our website or call us at 904-246-6118.

Common Culprits of Commercial Water Damage

11/7/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra can help with the causes of commercial water damage.

Managing a commercial building is more than just keeping the revenues up and the expenses down. If you are experiencing any water issues with your building, you need to identify the damage, repair it, and eliminate whatever caused the problem in the first place. Without a quick response to water issues, you run the risk of additional damage and potential health risks to employees, customers, or tenants.

Understanding the most common causes of these issues can help you to avoid the expense and repairs associated with water damage.

Roof Issues

A big cause of water damage involves a leaking or poorly maintained roof. Roof inspections should be scheduled regularly to prevent damage before it occurs, and any needed repairs should be performed promptly.

Plumbing Issues

Toilets and pipes can cause a host of problems, especially in tall commercial buildings. Any issues with a toilet should be resolved immediately. Hose and pipe connections must be checked regularly, and any hoses in the plumbing system should be replaced every 3 to 5 years whether or not they still look good.

Sprinkler Systems

Sprinkler systems are critical to controlling any fire that may start, but they’re also a cause of water leaks and property damage. Like other parts of the plumbing system, they need to be carefully maintained.

HVAC problems

Maintaining your HVAC system can prevent water damage from clogged drains, frozen evaporate coils or pipes that aren’t properly connected.

Severe weather

We can’t do anything about the weather, but when severe weather causes problems for your building, have it repaired as soon as possible to prevent water damage.

Water Heaters

Most water heaters have a life expectancy of 10-15 years. Once they reach this age, they’re an accident waiting to happen. To prevent problems, water heaters should be on a replacement schedule with your maintenance staff.

Windows

A commercial building, especially an office building, will have lots of windows, and each one represents an area where water could enter. Like other systems in your facility, windows need to be checked regularly and recalked periodically.

Water Damage Remediation

Properly inspecting and maintaining all of these elements can help to ward off water damage, but things still happen. If your commercial property has suffered water damage, it needs to be repaired and the area cleaned up as soon as possible. To properly remove the water and restore your property, you can turn to the professionals at SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra. For over 40 years, SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra has been the trusted leader in the restoration industry, and we have the training and expertise to mitigate any water damage you may have incurred. Our highly trained professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to quickly respond to your call for help.    

For additional information about the services we offer, visit our website or call us at 904-246-6118.

Commercial Catastrophes

10/31/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra can assist in the Clean-up of Commercial Properties that have Incurred a Catastrophic Loss.

Bad things can happen to good people, and if your commercial property has suffered a catastrophic loss due to fire, storms, mold, or water damage, you need to repair the damage and get on with your business. The best way to handle that is to engage a professional loss restoration company.

Fire Damage

When a fire occurs, there’s damage from the flames, heat, smoke, and soot. In addition, your facility may have incurred significant damage from the water or other chemicals used by the firefighters to put out the fire. To clean up after a fire, you need a professional mediation company that will perform any or all of the following:

• Board up windows and doors
• Set up air filtration equipment
• Clean soot out of air ducts
• Remove damaged items
• Clean damaged items that are to be maintained
• Clean upholstery and carpet
• Deodorize to remove the smoky smell

Flood, Water, or Severe Storm Damage

When you experience a flood, other water damage, or a severe storm, any or all of the following services may need to be performed:

• Extraction of standing water
• Cleaning of damaged furnishings
• Decontamination of building contents
• Drying out all of the areas affected

Mold Remediation

When you have excess moisture in your facility due to flooding, rain, plumbing problems, or any other source, mold can begin to develop. If this happens, it needs to be dealt with promptly to protect your building, your equipment, and your people. The process of removing dangerous mold includes the following:

• Assessment of the severity of the problem
• Set up of air filtration equipment
• Treatment and removal of the mold from affected areas
• Cleaning the mold from air ducts, HVAC systems, and electronics
• Monitor moisture levels to discourage any further mold growth

Who to Call

If your business has suffered any of these calamities, SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra can help you recover from the damage, mitigate the ongoing effects, and get your business back up and running. For over 40 years, SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra has been the leader in the disaster restoration industry. We maintain a staff of highly trained, IICRC Certified technicians who have the experience and know-how to mitigate your losses quickly and effectively. We have teams that are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to be able to respond to your emergency. As part of a national network of over 2000 franchises with special disaster recovery teams, we have access to additional manpower and equipment. In the case of a community-wide disaster, we have the capabilities to handle whatever comes our way.

For additional information about the services we offer, visit our website or call us at 904-246-6118.

Your Belongings and Mold Damage

10/24/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra advises what to do if you see mold or mildew in your home.

Mold in your home is at best a nuisance and at worst a serious health risk. If you suspect that you have mold in your house, you could look for some of these signs:

• Rotten smell
• Spots on your clothes or other belongings
• Contaminated carpets
• Allergy flare-ups
• Fungus on the furniture
• Warped walls
• A musty smell coming from your air conditioning unit

If you see any of these signs, it’s best to turn to a professional mold remediation company. They can identify the source of the mold and remove it or encapsulate it from walls, floors, or other surfaces. When they’re finished, you might not see or smell any more mold on clothing, books, or other contents of your home, but your personal belongings may be contaminated with mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are tiny mold spores that can be hazardous to your health and the health of your loved ones so what should you do?

Throwing everything out is one solution, but it’s not very practical, so what DO you do? At the very least, everything should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, but can you clean the mold from your things?  The answer to that question is, it depends.

What to Keep and What to Pitch

Non-porous Belongings

In most cases, it’s ok to hang on to most of your non-porous items if they’ve been thoroughly cleaned. This would include items such as glassware, metal furniture, dishes, pots, pans, or anything made of glass. However, some non-porous items should also probably go, not because their surfaces are porous, but because they may have areas or components where mycotoxins can find a hiding place. Examples would be the cooling fan on your laptop or the coils in your refrigerator or laundry equipment.

Porous Items

Cleaning is not able to fully remediate porous items, things such as wood furniture, backpacks, suitcases, upholstered furniture, pillows, stuffed animals, rugs, or anything made of cloth that can’t go into the washing machine. To be on the safe side, you should probably get rid of any porous items you may have. This would include anything made of wood, books, papers, laptop computers, backpacks, suitcases, or more.

Ask the Experts

If you suspect that you have mold in your home, you may still have lingering questions, and the best place to have those questions answered is SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra. For over 40 years, SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra has been the trusted leader in the restoration industry. We are experts in repairing water damage for residents in the area of Jacksonville and the St Johns County beaches. We have a team of highly trained technicians that are dedicated to responding quickly to any size disaster. We provide 24-hour emergency services and have the training and expertise to handle your restoration and cleaning needs.

For additional information about our company, visit our website or call us at 904-246-6118.

Water Damage from Burst Pipes

10/17/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra advises what to do if you experience a burst pipe.

A burst pipe in your home can cause serious trouble, and you want to do everything you can to prevent it from happening. While you can’t always prevent a burst pipe, knowing the causes will help you to take the necessary precautions to keep it from happening. There are several reasons a pipe may burst in your home.

• Corrosion can cause a pipe to burst. Corrosion occurs because of imbalances in your water’s pH or because of rust. Either way, the corrosion happens over a long period until the pipe finally gives out and either leaks or bursts. Rust is more common if you are using well water in your home.
• Pipe movement occurs accidentally in most cases. Sometimes drastic changes in the weather can cause pipes to shift, and that movement can cause a pipe to burst.
• Frozen pipes can burst. If you live in a warm climate, you may think you’re immune from frozen pipes, but the weather can be unpredictable, and you might experience a frozen pipe. This is especially true if your home isn’t well insulated, exposing the pipes to the cold.
• Clogs, while rare, can cause a pipe to burst. If you have a clog, water pressure can build around it and ultimately cause the pipe to leak or break.

How to Deal with a Burst Pipe

If you are unfortunate enough to experience a burst pipe, quick action on your part will minimize the damage to your home and belongings.

• Shut off the water – Know where the shut-off valve for your home is located and close it as soon as possible.
• Clear the water away - Clear away as much water as you can to prevent further damage to your home or the formation of mold.
• Drain your faucets – Drain your faucets to remove any water remaining in the system. Flush your toilets multiple times to drain the water out of those and turn off your water heater.
• Let in warm air – If your pipes are frozen, you need to thaw them out slowly to prevent more damage. If the pipe is under a cabinet, open the doors to let heat in.
• Turn up your heat or air conditioning - Keep doors open and let the air circulate through the house.
• Call the plumber – First, get the burst pipe repaired, and then deal with the aftermath.

What’s Next?

If you’ve experienced a burst pipe in your home, you’ll need help restoring any wet carpets, floors, or furniture after the plumber has completed his repairs. In these cases, it’s best to contact a company that has experience in water damage restoration, and SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra is the place to call.  We have a team of highly trained technicians on call 24/7, and we can restore your home or business properly and quickly.  

For additional information about the services we offer, visit our website or call us at 904-246-6118.

Belongings and Fire Damage

10/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra advises what to do if you’ve experienced a fire.

According to the Red Cross, small house fires are the single most common disaster in the United States, and dealing with the aftermath of a fire, no matter how small, can be a real challenge. Besides the obvious fire damage, most or all of your belongings have been exposed to water, soot, and smoke. A good fire restoration company can help clean and salvage your things that haven’t been burned, but not everything can or should be saved.

Belongings that Should be Discarded

Some categories of belongings should not be kept after a fire:

Electrical equipment – in most cases, it’s not safe to use small appliances or electronics that have been exposed to water, heat, smoke, or soot unless they’ve been checked over by a professional.

Burned clothing – while you can wash or dry clean your clothes, they may retain harmful chemicals that could cause skin irritation.

Textiles – bedding, rugs, drapes, and carpet can absorb the smoke and soot, and these items are typically too large to thoroughly clean.

Furniture & mattresses – besides absorption of smoke or water, furniture may be structurally damaged

Cosmetics and Toiletries – The fire and the chemicals the firefighters used in your home can alter the composition of makeup and other toiletries, causing them to be ineffective at best and dangerous to apply to your skin at worst. It’s best to throw them out.

Medicines – like toiletries, medicines can be altered or contaminated. To be safe, replace them.

Foodstuffs - While some food can be salvaged, here’s a list of items that should be pitched:

• open containers
• bulging or rusting cans
• food with fire extinguisher dust on it
• perishable foods left at room temperature for too long
• foods that came into contact with contaminants
• anything stored in permeable packaging like cardboard, cloth, or thin plastic bags.

What About the Fridge?

If your refrigerator or freezer survived the fire, you may be able to salvage some of the food, but at the risk of being overly cautious, throw out any food if:

• the fridge smells smoky
• soot got in the fridge
• the food smells or tastes odd
• the food has been above 40^o for more than two hours
• it was in the freezer but no longer feels hard or cold to the touch

Where to Go for Help

If you’ve experienced a house fire, SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra can provide professional fire restoration services to help you get your home and your life back in order. While we can’t help with the emotional loss you’ve suffered, we have the expertise, experience, and equipment to mitigate the damage to your home and belongings caused by heat, smoke, and soot. Our teams are on call 24 hours a day and can respond to your emergency promptly.    

For additional information about the services we offer, visit our website or call us at 904-246-6118.

Post Construction Cleanup

10/3/2023 (Permalink)

Learn the step-by-step process of cleaning up a building after construction and when to hire a professional cleanup service provider.

Are you remodeling your home or business? Once the construction crew is finished, there’s still a lot of work to do before the building is safe and habitable. Who is responsible for post-construction cleanup, and what steps are involved? Should you hire a professional for the job or do the work yourself? Find the answers to your questions here.

Whose Job Is It to Clean Up After Construction?

In general, the construction company is responsible for the initial cleanup. This includes clearing away waste materials and construction debris and ensuring the area is safe. Any additional cleaning required is up to the home or business owner, who may choose to complete the job themselves or hire a post-construction cleanup service.

Construction Cleaning Checklist

Your newly remodeled or restored building is sure to meet your needs for many years to come. But first, you must remove any lingering debris the construction company left behind. Here is the step-by-step process of cleaning up the inside and outside of a building after construction.

Interior Post-Construction Cleanup

• Dust and vacuum all surfaces, including ceilings, walls, floors, doors, windowsills, countertops, light fixtures, and furniture. For the best results, use a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter.
• Wipe down dusted surfaces with disinfecting wipes to remove germs and grime.
• Clean carpets if any stains remain after vacuuming. Consider professional carpet cleaning to help achieve the desired outcome.
• Clean windows with glass cleaner and paper towels.
• Re-hang drapes and blinds if you removed them prior to construction, or remove them now for professional cleaning.
• Wipe out cabinets and drawers, which may have sawdust, loose screws, and other construction residue.
• Clean the ductwork to remove drywall dust, sawdust, and lingering debris from your air vents. This task requires professional ductwork cleaning equipment.

Exterior Post-Construction Cleanup

• Remove litter from the yard, garage, and other areas outside the building.
• Pressure wash exterior walls, fences, and gates to remove lingering dirt, dust, and debris.
• Spray windows with a garden hose.
• Clean the gutters and inspect them for signs of damage.
• Sweep or hose down hardscaped surfaces, including sidewalks, driveways, patios, and decks.

When to Call a Professional for Cleanup Services

Post-construction cleaning can be overwhelming, but it’s not always easy to tell when to call a professional for help. Here are a few signs you could benefit from handing over the task to a qualified cleanup crew:

• You don’t have the time or resources to clean up the building yourself.
• The construction company left excessive dust, debris, or other materials behind.
• Safety and sanitization are top priorities, whether for personal reasons or to adhere to local standards.

Are you in need of professional post-construction cleanup? SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra is here to help. We provide 24/7 cleanup, restoration, and construction services to customers in Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and the Ponte Vedra area. With our help, your home or business will look pristine following your recent remodeling or restoration project. Call us today at (904) 246-6118 to learn more about our cleaning services.

Smoke Alarm Facts

9/26/2023 (Permalink)

Learn the top smoke alarm facts about installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting from SERVPRO® .

Smoke alarms can save lives, but only if they are in proper working order. Learn some important smoke alarm facts about installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting this vital fire safety device.

The Importance of Smoke Detectors

Having numerous smoke alarms throughout your home or business is essential for warning occupants of fire and smoke. By waking people up and making the urgent situation apparent, people can evacuate to safety before their lives are at risk. The benefits of smoke detectors are so substantial that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires them in every residential dwelling or sleeping unit.

Where to Install Smoke Alarms

NFPA 72 outlines where you should install smoke detectors, including:

• Inside every bedroom
• Outside each sleeping area
• On every level of the home, including the basement
• High on the wall or ceiling
• At least 10 feet from cooking appliances and humid bathrooms to minimize false alarms
• Away from windows, doors, or air vents that might generate interfering drafts

Existing homes that aren’t up-to-code should be modified to meet these requirements. Keep in mind that larger homes need additional smoke alarms.

How Smoke Alarms Work

Smoke detectors come in two forms:

• Photoelectric smoke alarms feature a beam of light within the unit. When smoke particles scatter this beam, the alarm goes off. These detectors tend to be most responsive to smoldering fires.
• Ionization smoke alarms have a chamber with a small electrical current. When smoke enters the chamber, the number of ions changes, dropping the electrical current and sounding the alarm. These detectors are generally more responsive to flaming fires.

For the best protection, you should install both types of alarms in your home. Combination units are also available.

Why Smoke Detectors Go Off for No Reason

Smoke alarms may save lives, but they’re not perfect. Here are some possible reasons why your smoke detector keeps going off:

• Dust buildup in the ionization chamber
• Insect intrusion
• High humidity
• Rapid temperature changes
• High sensitivity
• Malfunctioning sensors
• Aging components

How and When to Maintain Your Smoke Detector

Smoke alarms require minimal maintenance to remain in good working order. Here’s what to do:

• Test your smoke alarm once a month by pressing the test button. A loud tone should sound. If all is well, press the button again to turn off the alarm. If the device doesn’t work, replace it immediately.
• Dust each smoke detector with the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner every six months to keep cobwebs at bay.
• Change the smoke detector batteries once a year or when you hear your smoke detector beeping.
• Install new smoke alarms every 10 years.

If your home has been damaged in a fire, turn to SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra for help. Our team is available 24/7 to help make your home safe and habitable once more, drawing on over 40 years of experience to ensure a job well done. Call us today at (904) 246-6118 to request fire damage restoration in Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, or the Ponte Vedra area.

Removing Cigarette Smoke Smell

9/12/2023 (Permalink)

If you’re moving into a home with lingering cigarette smells or need to prepare your house before selling, call a professional for cigarette smoke rem

Cigarettes produce stubborn odors that can linger in a home for years. Removing the smell of cigarette smoke is a tricky process. While opening windows and doors to increase ventilation, sprinkling baking soda on affected furniture, and setting out bowls of odor-absorbing vinegar can help, many situations call for professional cigarette smoke removal to make the house smell fresh again.

Hazards of Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, which can cause adverse health effects for anyone who inhales it. The groups most vulnerable to secondhand smoke include pregnant women, the very young and very old, and those with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Cigarette smoke also leaves behind a residue that can damage walls, ceilings, floors, and furnishings. For these reasons, smokers should always step outside before lighting a cigarette.

Is it Harder to Remove Old Cigarette Smoke?

In general, new cigarette smoke is relatively easy to remove. In fact, if you keep on top of deodorization efforts, you may be able to remove recent cigarette smells with nothing but vinegar and baking soda. However, for odors that have deeply penetrated drywall, wood furniture, and fabrics for many years, professional cigarette smell removal is a must.

Steps for Removing Cigarette Smoke Smell

If you’re moving into a home with a lingering cigarette smell or need to prepare your house before selling, call a professional for cigarette smoke removal. Here’s how smoke remediation experts remove cigarette smell:

• Assess the contamination: The first step is to learn the age and extent of the cigarette smoke damage. This helps the restoration team determine what remediation methods to use.
• Purify the air: Air purification removes airborne particles that could be contributing to the odor. This step is performed using air scrubbers and filters.
• Clean affected surfaces: While air purifiers are running, the crew cleans smoke residue and disinfects all affected surfaces. This is important to ensure leftover particles don’t continue emitting odors.
• Deodorize the space: Eliminating offensive cigarette smell often involves ozone generators, hydroxyl machines, and other specialized deodorizing equipment. The goal is to reproduce the conditions that caused odor penetration in the first place, thus drawing out and removing odors from the surface.
• Seal exposed surfaces: This step prevents a buildup of disagreeable odors in the future.
• Restore the home: Restoration efforts may be necessary, depending on the level of cigarette smoke damage. This includes replacing excessively damaged walls, floors, and other materials that can’t be effectively cleaned and deodorized. The result is a seamless restoration that looks “Like it never even happened.”®

SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra is available 24/7 to assist with cigarette smoke removal. Whether the smell is new or old, contained to a single room or spread throughout the house, our team will provide the most effective results possible. As an experienced disaster restoration company, we also offer fire and smoke remediation services. Call us at (904) 246-6118 today to request cigarette smoke removal in Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, or the Ponte Vedra area.