It was a dark and stormy night. Chris Echeverry was driving the Carpet Cleaning Van with Nick Marcell in the passenger seat. Bolts of lightning were seen in the distance. 100 MPH winds were felt as they were driving along that dark and lonesome highway to "save the lives" of three men who were trying to save a business. Meanwhile, Nick calls fellow coworker Mike Wilkins to see if he is alright. Mike stated that he was shaken up while driving the large truck, which was also known as the Arizona Fire & Water Restoration Emergency Response Vehicle. This vehicle is rumored to have saved many lives (well, at least saved some houses from additional damage!). Chris and Nick arrive at the scene of this extraordinary disaster to see the three brave men trying to hold down a cover to protect their vehicles. Just then, the wind picked up and blew mightier than it has in many years. A power line just above them snapped, with sparks raining down, and the line fell to the ground. A call from Mike Wilkins comes through to Nick and, in a panic, he states how the mighty EMS truck is tipping side to side - and he can barely keep it on the road! Nick keeps him stable and helps him find the courage to tame the mighty beast, as it plows though the awesome wind, as if Hercules himself was powering the vehicle! Meanwhile, Chris was trying to comfort one of the victims of this storm - telling him everything was going to be alright. The man quickly goes inside to get the keys that allowed entry to ground zero. Chris then decides to make the call to the manager in charge, inside of the Carpet Van. Suddenly - they hear a loud crash! The awning was sailing into the air! Chris reacted quickly by slamming the carpet van into reverse and avoiding far worse damage to the vehicle. The awning tore the side of the door, broke the windshield and bent the radio antenna on the vehicle. Then, the gate is finally opened so that the heroic AZFW employees could assist the victims - bringing... read full post »

In the realm of property damage appraisal, structural damage is perhaps the most difficult to deal with. Structural damage implies damage that affects the very core of the building structure. This is not a type of damage that can be put off, or neglected. Structural damage simply must be dealt with, and oftentimes it has to be dealt with first and foremost. Buildings can incur structural damage in a number of different ways. Earthquakes, fires, floods, and other "acts of God" are common causes of minor to severe structural damage. If your home or building has structural damage, speak with a restoration expert at Arizona Fire and Water Restoration, Inc. The first and perhaps most important step when it comes to addressing serious structural damage is the initial assessment. Only by going into a damaged building and correctly determining the extent of the structural damage can an accurate property damage appraisal be submitted to the insurance claims adjuster. Making the... read full post »

Suffering through extensive property damage is something that nobody wants to have to experience. That being said, after the damage has been done, there is nothing to do but figure out a way to bring one's life back to normalcy. The first step in any reconstruction or restoration project is to generate an accurate and fair property damage appraisal. Arizona Fire and Water Restoration, Inc. is fully qualified to give accurate and speedy property damage appraisals. They utilize a variety of specialized equipment in order to generate an accurate documentation of the losses incurred. They employ everything from digital cameras and thermal imaging cameras to moisture meters, thermal hygrometers, and psychometric calculators to ensure that their documentation is as accurate and specific as possible. The staff at Arizona Fire and Water Restoration, Inc. is qualified to give property damage appraisals for residential, commercial, and light industrial buildings. They utilize highly... read full post »

In the world of contracting, home restoration emerges as one of the most demanding fields of expertise. Those who choose to work in the home restoration business have to be not only proficient but expert in a wide variety of jobs. When a home is decimated by disaster, it is up to the restoration company to come in, clean up the mess, and get the building back to its pre-loss condition. Perhaps the first step to any home restoration job is to properly assess the damage. This is a very important step in that it allows one to correctly convey to the insurance claims adjuster the extent of the damage. A proper and accurate damage appraisal can ensure that you are able to speedily get your home back to its pre-loss condition. Not all general contractors are experienced in dealing with insurance claims--this is a very important distinction that many homeowners don't make in time. Choosing Arizona Fire and Water Restoration, Inc. ensures that your restoration needs will be communicated... read full post »

If you have suffered through a disaster, your top priority is likely finding a company that can help you clear away the damage, salvage what remains, and rebuild what cannot be salvaged. You may not know that a single company can do all of this for you--choose Arizona Fire and Water Restoration, Inc. to guide you through the process. Their caring and efficient experts will provide the level of service you need during a time that is, by nature, difficult for you. One of the most basic disaster recovery services that you are likely to need is an initial appraisal. A damage appraisal, in addition to being necessary for an insurance claim, can ultimately serve as a blueprint for the entire restoration process. Arizona Fire and Water Restoration, Inc. is fully qualified to provide accurate and fair damage appraisals. They provide on-site inspections, followed up by detailed computer-generated estimates that can be given directly to an insurance adjuster. In addition to damage appraisals,... read full post »

Disaster reconstruction is a very complex endeavor. It requires a huge array of skill sets and a thorough knowledge of an ever-increasing variety of techniques and equipment. Disaster reconstruction specialists like Arizona Fire and Water Restoration, Inc. know this, and they work hard to continue to evolve with the business. They are also licensed general contractors and will work with your insurance company to erase the effects of damage and get your property back to the shape it was in prior to the disaster. What Happens During the Reconstruction Process? Disaster reconstruction begins as soon as the initial disaster cleanup has taken place. After the non-recoverable objects have been discarded, the salvageable objects can then be taken to a cleanup facility for individualized restoration. Arizona Fire and Water Restoration, Inc. has the ability to restore a wide variety of objects, including pieces of art, furniture, and even computers and electronic devices. They also offer... read full post »

Surviving a disaster can be a very traumatic experience. If you have suffered through a fire at your home or place of business, then you know that after the disaster it can be extremely difficult to begin the process of restoring your space. Many do not even know where to begin once the fire department has left. Arizona Fire and Water Restoration, Inc. can help you with the post-disaster restoration process. They offer 24-hour emergency services and are experts in a wide variety of restoration practices. If you have suffered fire, smoke, or water damage, they can help with the decontamination, dehumidification, and the reconstruction and restoration process. They can also help you determine what is structurally salvageable. Disaster cleanups are overwhelming precisely because of the multifaceted nature of the cleaning process. Not only do you have to determine what is worth saving, but you might have to deal with carpet cleanup, wall restoration, and even mold containment and... read full post »

Board ups are the type of preventative action that save a homeowner time, money, and keep him from paying to repair further damage. This is a basic operation, but one that must still be completed professionally and in a timely manner. Arizona Fire and Water Restoration, Inc. offers a 24-hour emergency service that can handle board up jobs of any size. Whether it's a home or office that has been hit by disaster, boarding up is an essential step in containing and preventing further damage. Board Ups and Follow Up There are many situations in which a simple board up can save time and money. For example, if the high winds of a severe storm send a tree through your home, your home doesn't just suffer from the initial damage caused by the tree. Any rainwater that pools in the home can lead to significant long-term mold damage. Boarding up the exposed portion of the home immediately keeps moisture at bay until more extensive restoration can take place. Timing is of the essence... read full post »