Why It Is Important to Have the Right Equipment for Smoke & Fire Damage Restoration

7/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Offers Expertise to Return a Home to Pre-Fire & Smoke Condition

There is much uncertainty in the aftermath of a residential fire. Even in relatively minor emergencies, there is likely to be confusion and disruption to normal routines. Fortunately, SERVPRO can ease the pressure and become a stable source of practical support.

When repairing fire damage in Moorpark, our technicians concentrate not just on the obvious signs of damage (burned materials and stains), but also on the more insidious effects of fire. Smoke and soot, for example, can be very stubborn and much harder to remediate than charred furniture or fabrics.

To ensure a fast, effective fire damage restoration, SERVPRO utilizes a variety of techniques and tools. Keep reading for information on the most significant.

Pressure Washers
In the case of low oxygen fires, it is often necessary to bring pressure washing equipment onto the site. It is because this type of fire creates oily, sticky soot instead of the dusty residues you might be expecting. Manual cleaning risks smears and permanent blemishes, but high-pressure washing provides the force needed to dislodge these soot accumulations. It is also possible to disperse deodorizing chemicals, but we tend to use this method only in large spaces.

Ventilation Box (Axial) Fans
Ventilation box fans are an efficient way to drive clean air into a fire-damaged property, while also pushing the smoky, odor-filled air back out. The machines used by our SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians are very powerful industrial-grade devices. If an HVAC is present on the property, it must be turned off to prevent the circulation of smoke particulates to unaffected areas of the structure.

If smoke odors are very heavy, we may leave the fans switched on for an overnight period. Sometimes, we combine them with deodorizing machines, which disperse neutralizing chemicals into the air. The big advantage of deodorizers is that they penetrate fabrics and porous surfaces. If ozone is used to deodorize, the SERVPRO technicians insist on some precautionary measures. The substance can be an irritant in large doses, so occupants and workers must vacate the building when ozone generators are set up until the process is complete. We can also place hydroxyl generators during the workday to chemically alter the pungent odors within the home and improve air quality.

Safety/Containment
It is not necessary to set up containment measures in every home, but they can be a useful way to stop smoke smells from spreading throughout the building. They are also helpful when it comes to keeping deodorizing chemicals in the right place, so they do their job.

 To learn more about fire and smoke damage restoration and why it is effective, you can talk to our expert team. SERVPRO is on hand to answer all your queries and to provide emergency assistance when needed. Give us a call anytime. We are available 24/7/365.