What We Do When There's a Fire Job

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

Fire jobs usually require lots of work and preparation. Fires obviously cause structural damage to properties but there are other factors to take into account when dealing with fire damage. Our technicians assess all affected areas of a property. This doesn’t just mean what parts of the property have been burned. We look out for smoke that has travelled throughout the property such as rooms and vents. The smoke from a fire leaves ashes and soot that can be very difficult to remove and can require demolition and reconstruction. We assess all rooms, vents, walls, ceilings, and floors to report all damages. The tenant’s personal belongings could also be affected by smoke and soot and that would be taken care of by a soft goods cleaning service. Once all damages have been assessed, our team begins by packing all belongings out of the property. Then we begin demolition as necessary and we start to clean soot from areas that do not need demolition. Reconstruction would then take place and then a pack in.

Condos in Temple City

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

Not too long ago, there were three condos in Temple City that experienced a significant fire. The fire burned all three condos and this called for immediate help from our SERVPRO team. The condos were essentially three stories counting the garage space so the whole project took several months to finish. All belongings that survived the fire were packed out and the process began. All affected materials were removed which resulted in the condos being bare wood. The roof was also affected so that had to be reconstructed as well. Once the long reconstruction process was completed, then came the painting and remodeling phase. New floors, paint, and appliances were put in the homes. All the belongings were cleaned and packed in the condos. Once everything was set and done, the condos looked like they were new listings on a home buying site.

Home Appliances

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

Fire losses are always intimidating and can happen in many different ways. Appliances in our homes can cause fires. Recently, our team went out for an inspection of a fire loss. What happened was that the tenant’s dryer caught on fire and the fire damaged the walls and ceilings of the laundry room. The dryer most likely caught on fire because of clogged vents. The smoke from the fire went all over the house and covered the walls in soot. A small dryer fire turned the situation into a big fire loss. Work would have to be done all over the house to fix the damages from the fire as well as remove the soot and smoke smell from the walls. Before the fixes can be made, the team would have to remove all belongings from the home. This goes to show how home appliances such as dryers, toasters, or heaters can cause fires if not cleaned or maintained properly. 

What Happens on a Fire Job

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

Fire jobs require many steps because there are usually significant damages. It is important that all steps are done properly. After the fire is dealt with, our SERVPRO team comes out to the site and inspects the damages. All the damages are documented and pictures are taken. These documents and pictures are for the SERVPRO team to use as reference as well as any other parties involved. Then a pack-out would take place. This means that all belongings in the affected areas would be removed and taken to a storage facility. After the pack-out, the affected materials would be removed and a cleanup would take place. Once all affected material is removed, it would then be replaced in the reconstruction phase. Once everything is put back and replaced, then the team would start renovations such as painting and making sure the property is in pre-fire condition. Once that is done, all affected belongings would then be cleaned and treated to remove any unwanted smells or damages. Then a pack-in would take place to put all belongings back in the home.

Monrovia Fires

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

Back in September, the Monrovia mountains were set ablaze after a huge wildfire occurred and damaged a large amount of land. We let the firefighters do their job when it came to this, but the problems that many Monrovians faced were smoke damages. Many homes and businesses were faced with a large amount of smoke damages that ranged from ashes and soot to a horrible smoke odor. Luckily here at SERVPRO we have the tools and the know how to help with any of these situations. We can help by getting rid of that nasty smoke odor by placing equipment and cleaning and wiping down the interior. We also recommend getting the air ducts cleaned during this process to help filter out the air for more clean air in the home or business.    

Content Damage

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

After a fire loss occurs, contents in a home can sometimes have bad smoke damages to them. Here at SERVPRO, we are able to figure out what items can be saved and what items are a total loss. The items that can be saved will get wrapped up tight and taken into a storage pod. Once the fire mitigation has been completed, it is then time to clean the contents from the smoke damages. The nasty smoke will get inside of the items causing a horrible smoke odor to omit. We clean these items very thoroughly to ensure the smoke residue has been completely removed. Then we put it into an o-zone which will deodorize the items by taking away the oxygen from them. In the end we package them up and they are ready to be put back.  

Recent Fires

12/23/2020 (Permalink)

All along Southern California, there has been a recent surge in fires. The fires have been so bad that they have caused significant smoke damages to the valley between. These smoke damages range from smoke odor, ash and soot leftovers and content damages. This along with the recent COVID-19 virus has made things very difficult for people in the Southern California area. Here at SERVPRO we have helped as much as we can for both residential and commercial properties. We have done several jobs under these problems. Smoke damages can be hard thing to nail down but we can provide air duct cleaning, replacing insulation, pressure washing on the outside, and content cleaning of affected items. We can also place air scrubbers to help rid the air of the smoke odor.  

Condo Fires

12/23/2020 (Permalink)

We have recently been assigned to help out a fire that occurred at condo units. It happened in one unit and since it shares walls with the other units, it caused additional damages. These damages where both water and smoke damages. The other affected units suffered heavy water damages from pipes being burst while also having a very bad smoke odor damages. This affected not only the structure of the units but the contents inside as well. Our process worked as follows. We first did a pack out of all of the contents in the units. We then cleaned the contents to rid of that nasty smoke odor. Then mitigation took place to try stop the damages from going any further. We worked in conjunction with the insurance and the fire department as well. 

Candle Danger

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

We just got a call about fire damage in a home. An elderly couple lit a candle while reading the bible and left it unattended for a long period of time. The candle fell over and burnt the table it was placed on. The home owners were not home when the candle fell over. They were so surprised and lucky that nothing else was burnt. The house did have a terrible lingering smell and they were having a hard time breathing. They rent the house they live and do not have renters insurance. The home owners also don't have home insurance on the property. We were able to create a payment plan and will go forward with cleaning of the contents inside the home. 

Nature Damaged

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

We were called to restore a floral shop after it experienced fire damage. The shop had bunches of dried flowers hanging from the ceiling and they caught fire. The ceiling was charred and the owners were devastated. They had those bunches of dried flowers hanging since they opened the shop 10 years ago. This was the first time anything like this ever happened to them. In 10 years they never had any kind of disaster. Their insurance company agent was even astonished. We were able to restore the shop and get it back to it's beautiful state. The owners will not be hanging up dried flowers ever again. They promised to keep all flowers in jars of water. They thanked us with a delightful smelling bouquet made entirely of Lily of the valley. 

Trained in Fire

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage requires experienced technicians who can clean and clear away all traces of smoke and damage caused by a fire. That's why we send all of our technicians to IICRC training. We expect the best from our team. There is no easy fix to remove smoke stains and odors caused by fire. SERVPRO has created some really special cleaning agents that actually remove all traces of smoke damage. There are many reasons why we're the best in the industry. We create our own unique products to complete all our jobs. We wouldn't trust any other product to complete the cleaning process. If only we could take a picture of the before and after SMELL of fire damage!  You have to smell it to believe it! 

Different colors of fire

5/14/2020 (Permalink)

We are always heartbroken when we get calls about fire damage. We know how heartbreaking fire damage can be. The color of fire damage is black. Fire kills everything it touches with aggression. Just like fire, smoke damage leaves a black film around everything it touches. People usually assume that fires are red, orange and yellow, but in reality the only color you see is black. We use very special sponges to wipe away the color of smoke. These special sponges even reduce the smell of smoke. They are small but very powerful. They almost act like erasers. The small sponges remove all the smoke damage from walls, doors, windows and even portraits. Our clients are always pleased when we can use these sponges as they very easy to apply and the clean up is simple. 

Black and fire

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

We are always heartbroken when we get calls about fire damage. We know how heartbreaking fire damage can be. The color of fire damage is black. Fire kills everything it touches with aggression. Just like fire, smoke damage leaves a black film around everything it touches. People usually assume that fires are red, orange and yellow, but in reality the only color you see is black. We use very special sponges to wipe away the color of smoke. These special sponges even reduce the smell of smoke. They are small but very powerful. They almost act like erasers. The small sponges remove all the smoke damage from walls, doors, windows and even portraits. 

Winter Holiday Fires

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

Even though it is cold outside, a fire can happen when you least expect it. Crowded areas tend to be the most dangerous. Take a look at these stats regarding fires so you can be on the lookout this holiday season.

• More than 1/3 of home fires are started by open flame candles
• Keep candles at least 8 inches away from anything that burns
• Before burning the candle, make sure to trim the wick down about 1/4 inches
• More than half home decoration fires in December are started by candles
• Be on the lookout for candles that have been recalled recently

Candles are a huge symbol for the holiday season, but pay close attention so that this huge symbol does not ruin the holiday sprit. 

Christmas Tree Hazards

12/20/2019 (Permalink)

Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur they can cause serious damage. Keep these things in mind when setting up your Christmas tree.

• One quarter of Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems-A heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one in every four of the fires-
• If not watered properly can cause dryness of the tree to catch on fire within minutes
• Be sure to spread out lights along tree and pay close attention to when the lights go out

Christmas Tree's are a staple for the holiday season, but don't let it ruin the holidays by staying vigilant and taking proper care of your tree. Think of the Christmas tree as a another member of the family.  

Smoke on furniture

11/30/2019 (Permalink)

When it comes to fire damage you need to consider the furniture you have in your home. Smoke can damage every corner and inch of a room. Materials to consider cleaning as soon as possible are : 

Fiberglass & appliance exteriors 

Curtains & Upholstery 

Metallic Surfaces 

Clothes & Bedding 

Plastic & Porcelain 

Hard flooring 

Porous surfaces (drywall, exposed wood, paint, wallpaper) 

It's always a good idea to have us come out to prepare the cleaning estimate and begin the process. It's crucial to get these items cleaned, smoke particles get into crevices and cracks, and can make the damage worse. Heat can really damage furniture and only time can save them. The longer you wait, the more severe the damage will be. We can even clean them on site if you don't want any furniture removed. 

Did you know

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

Here's a real interesting and safe tip to consider when it comes to fire damage. A Fire Marshall needs to tell you that it is safe to enter your home. The fire department will tell you what restrictions you're limited to. For example, you won't be able to use the electricity, there can be hot spots and dangerous wooden beams. This is why it's also crucial for you to call SERVPRO, you shouldn't be in a space that has been destroyed by a fire. We are trained to look out for specific dangers. We have to follow all regulations for safety and cleaning up. When it comes to fire damage, we can't just dump trash in your regular trash bins. Fire departments love to work with us for many reasons. Especially because we do follow their rules and make the restoration process very safe for everyone. 

Like it never happened.

7/22/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage requires experienced technicians who can clean and clear away all traces of smoke and damage caused by a fire. That's why we send all of our technicians to IICRC training. We expect the best from our team. There is no easy fix to remove smoke stains and odors caused by fire. SERVPRO has created some really special cleaning agents that actually remove all traces of smoke damage. There are many reasons why we're the best in the industry. We create our own unique products to complete all our jobs. We wouldn't trust any other product to complete the cleaning process. If only we could take a picture of the before and after SMELL of fire damage!  You have to smell it to believe it! 

Kitchen Fire Damage

5/10/2019 (Permalink)

The table where the candle was place.

A small fire can create a lot of damage. We've been doing some major construction on a house that was damaged by a fire that was created by a candle. It's so important to blow out any candles even when you're leaving a room. No fire should be left unattended. The home owner was not home when her home suddenly went up in flames. A neighbor noticed smoke coming out of her dinning room window and immediately called the fire department. The home owner came home after work and realized that she left a candle on before leaving that morning. She was so lucky that the neighbor saw smoke when he did, the fire only affected the kitchen and dinning area. The rest of the house only had smoke stains. We had to remove all the furniture from the house and it was sad to see the loss of so many nice things. Her refrigerator and stove were melted, the dinning table was black with fire damage. We removed all the walls and now the house is ready for a brand new look. The homeowner is still in shock but is ready to start the designing process. She guaranteed us that she will never light another candle again! 

Wildfire Damage Event

4/24/2018 (Permalink)

The wildfires here in Southern California increase their impact because the Santa Ana winds add fuel to the devastating blazes that have encroached upon our area. According to the New York Times, fires broke out in Malibu on December 7, with at least 96,000 acres already burned in the Ventura area and 116,000 acres in Los Angeles County. Evacuations closed hundreds of schools and forced 200,000 of our neighbors to seek safety. The “Thomas Fire” in the Ventura area continued to burn with the aid of strong winds. This fire caused the closure of the 101 freeway and a boil-water advisory was issued for Ventura County. The Santa Ana winds that enabled the fires to rapidly increase their reach can have speeds more than 60 miles per hour. The National Weather Service had warned of “very rapid-fire growth” in this area. SERVPRO Meteorologist Lela Davis said that the Santa Ana winds were already very dry when they reached the Southern California valley, allowing them to quickly pull moisture out of vegetation, increasing the risk for wildfires. For the first time ever, a purple wind warning was issued under the color-coded system used to advise about high winds. This purple warning pushed wind expectations from the “high” category to “extreme”. Ready to help here at SERVPRO of Monrovia we monitored this wildfire situation closely. Our thoughts are with those neighbors who were put in harms’ way during this event. In many cases, a wildfire can result in a total loss for a home or business, but in others it may be a partial loss, or can result in mild smoke damage. If your home or business is affected by a wildfire, SERVPRO of Monrovia is Here to Help®. 

About SERVPRO of Monrovia

SERVPRO of Monrovia specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Smoke Residues

4/23/2018 (Permalink)

We have extensive experience handling the complexities of repairing the damage. SERVPRO of Monrovia will check for water damage that may occur because of firefighting equipment, and residue left and ensure that there’s no odor left behind. Below are examples and a little definition of what kind of residues you might encounter after a fire.

Dry Smoke

Dry smoke residue results from a fast burning and high-temperature fire. Dry smoke will create smoke damage that is thin, dry, and powdery. Dry smoke damage is often times easier to clean.

Wet Smoke

Wet smoke residue results from a lower temperature or smoldering fire; it has a pungent odor and a sticky, smeary texture. These types of fires produce fewer flames but create a great deal of smoke.

Protein Smoke

Protein smoke residue is essentially invisible and can discolor paints, varnishes, and other finishes. Although protein smoke residue is invisible, it has an extremely strong and pungent odor.

Fuel Oil Smoke

Results from furnace smoke from duct returns in ventilation system and causes dangerous oily soot. Fuel oil smoke damage creates a very strong odor and can completely destroy upholstered items such as couches and mattresses. This residue can be relatively sticky and difficult to clean.

Fire Extinguisher Residue

Fire extinguisher residue mainly come from chemical fire extinguishers. Clean up is generally an easy but can vary.

SERVPRO of Monrovia uses specialized equipment to handle the job. This includes chemical disinfectants, odor removers, bacteria treatments, moisture drying tools, air cleaners, and other products designed to target issues like soot and smoke.

What You Can Do Until Help Arrives

3/7/2016 (Permalink)

DO:

• LIMIT MOVEMENT IN THE FACILITY TO PREVENT SOOT PARTICLES FROM SPREADING AND ADDITIONAL DAMAGE FROM OCCURRING.
• PLACE CLEAN TOWELS OR OLD LINENS ON RUGS AND HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS.
• COAT CHROME FAUCETS, TRIM AND APPLIANCES WITH PETROKEUM JELLY OR OIL.
• PLACE ALUMINUM FOIL OR WOOD BLOCKS BETWEEN FURNITURE LEGS AND WET CARPET.

DO NOT:

• WASH ANY WALLS OR PAINTED SURFACES.
• SHAMPOO CARPET OR UPHOLSTERY.
• CLEAN ANY ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.
• SEND CLOTHING TO DRY CLEANER SINCE IMPROPER CLEANING MAY SET SMOKE ODOR.