We Respond Fast to Fire Damage Restoration In Los Angeles

6/11/2019 (Permalink)

We have the equipment, training, and experience to restore your home to pre-damage condition quickly and efficiently.

SERVPRO - Eliminating Fire Damage Residues In Los Angeles

Despite the better weather this year, many Los Angeles residents remember last year’s fires across several square miles when anyone even says house fire. That season was unusual for the entire county, let alone the city.

Regardless of the size, though, remediating fire damage to Los Angeles homes depends on certain factors. To determine the best cleaning methods, SERVPRO restoration specialists analyze how fast the fire burned and items consumed. Fast-burning fires are oxygen-rich and usually produce a dry smoke while slow-burning, or smoldering, fires are oxygen-poor and produce smoke with more moisture trapped in it.

If the majority of the materials burned were natural, the residue is normally dry and powdery. Natural materials include cork, cotton, paper, wool, and dry wood. If the materials were synthetic, such as foam rubber, plastics, and other polymers, the residue is considered wet, meaning it contains a much higher amount of moisture.

With less moisture and fewer aerosols, Dry Smoke residues leave small, dry particles and require less aggressive methods of cleaning like wiping down surfaces with a dry sponge. For thicker layers, SERVPRO specialists can also use a spray bottle with water or a mild cleaner to break them up. Team specialists also have the option to use a vacuum if needed.

Wet Smoke residues contain more aerosols, often from furniture varnishes, kitchen or garage solvents, and other liquids. In a slow-burning fire, these residues do not travel as far, so the residues are thicker over a smaller area. Cleaning them from tables, countertops, and other surfaces often require a very strong cleaning agent and a scrub brush or other agitation device to penetrate and break them up for easier removal. Odors from wet residues are usually stronger than odors from dry residues.

If the fire started in the kitchen, there are also Protein residues from burning meat, fish, and poultry. While they are visually unimpressive, these are greasy, exceptionally pungent, and difficult to remove without a powerful cleaning agent and at least a scrub brush.

If you have had fire damage in your kitchen or anywhere else, contact SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park today at (213) 628-2000. We are here to help you return your home to a clean, odor-free condition as quickly as possible.

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