The Cause and Effects of Fire Damage

The Cause and Effects of Fire Damage…

Fires that raze through homes and guts through buildings usually have their origins as follows:

Smoking – Cigarette-related fires are attributable to cigarette butts that are not put out properly and thoroughly.  This includes having fallen asleep holding a smoldering cigarette and using flammable materials and items as ashtrays.

Candles – Fires that originate from candles start when the flame, caught by a draught leads to the burning of nearby combustible objects like curtains, rugs, papers, etc.  Some similar causes of candle-related fires are when candles tilt from candle holders which are inappropriate for placing candles on or in.

Electrical – Most fires are caused by failed electrical connections in the form of overtly warming wires and defective fuses.  Often electrical fire-related incidents start from sparks that do not produce any flames.  It is best not to underestimate the risk that comes from electricity even though the wires, plugs, and sockets are correctly installed.

To be able to discern the root causes of fire within a home structure, it is very informative to know the subsequent causes of the fire that originates from room to room:

Bedrooms – Fires that begin inside bedrooms are often due to the improper utilization of electrical devices.  The overloading of extension cords, use of electric warmers, and electric blankets that were not tested for quality upon release from the factory or manufacturing plant can overload the circuits.  During the winter season, heaters that are carelessly positioned near flammable materials, clothes, and linens generally cause a fire.

Kitchen – Of all the rooms within a house, the kitchen is probably the room where most electrical appliances are found.  As such it has many fire-hazardous elements and materials within in the form of an open fire on the stove, grease due to cooking, electrical tools, and devices for preparing and cooking food.  Grease fire that comes from frying pans is quite dangerous since it can cause the entire kitchen to be consumed by fire.  The kinds of kitchen fires that are easy to control are oven fires and dry cooking fires because they are unlikely to cause damage.  It is also best to maintain all kitchen appliances well so as not to be a source of the fire.

Fireplace and Heating Devices – Heating devices and fireplaces are designed to create heat and could pose as fire risks if they are not correctly maintained.  Combustible things around the heater in the form of curtains, clothes, or wallpaper must be removed and placed at a safe distance.  Fireplaces that do not have a screen allow sparks from the fire to fly into the room where it is situated. And that can cause fire once the embers land on items or materials that can easily burn.

Fire damage requires doing a very grueling cleanup aside from necessitating the correct tools and equipment to do the restoration procedures.  It is recommended that a professional fire damage expert company be hired to do the cleaning task. This is to be able to establish or segregate the items which could be repaired or changed.  All items that can be restored will be cleaned and brought back to their pre-fire damage state by professional fire cleaning experts to the best of their ability.

Call Water Damage Zone today at (877) 520-1923  your future bills may be a lot smaller if you follow these simple tips. You can also visit our sister company for further information on restoration services at Best American Builders.

We specialize in the following services:

• 24/7 Emergency Response, Water Extraction, and Water Damage
• Direct Billing to Insurance, Locally Owned and Operated
• Water Cleanup, Water Dry outs, Visual Mold Inspections, Sewage Damage Cleanup
• Sterilizing & Odor Removal, Licensed & Bonded #963976, Reputable Los Angeles based company
• Image from deposit photos, ID 15892692
• Shutterstock Sequence Number: US-041C159DA-1

Water Damage Zone, Inc.

Corporate Office

15115 Califa St. Ste. C

Van Nuys, CA 91411

24/7 Emergency Fire Damage and Smoke Cleanup Services Now Available in Los Angeles, California

Water Damage Zone and Restoration Inc., is a full service Water Damage, Fire, Smoke Cleanup and Restoration Company, providing 24/7 water damage and fire, smoke cleanup emergency response and immediate services to Los Angeles, California and surrounding cities.

Fire Damage and Smoke Cleanup Services for Los Angeles, California Include: 

•  24 Hour Emergency Service
•  Assessment of damage and inspection of structure
•  Smoke Removal
•  Soot Removal
•  Additional Substance Removal
•  Inspection of Contents
•  Contents Restoration
•  Odor Removal
•  Removal of Acidic Smoke from Surfaces
•  Debris Removal
•  Content Pack Out & Storage
•  Board Up
•  Clean and Deodorize Clothing and Other Items
•  Sanitation
•  Direct Billing to Insurance

Water Damage Zone and Restoration, Inc. is Insured, Licensed and Bonded. Providing 24/7 emergency fire damage and smoke cleanup services for Los Angeles, CA., and surrounding cities.

Call Water Damage Zone today your future bills may be a lot smaller, if you follow these simple tips. You can also visit our sister company for further information on restoration services at Best American Builders.

We specialize in the following services:

• 24/7 Emergency Response, Water Extraction, Water Damage
• Direct Billing to Insurance, Locally Owned and Operated
• Water Cleanup, Water Dry outs, Visual Mold Inspections, Sewage Damage Cleanup
• Sterilizing & Odor Removal, Licensed & Bonded #963976, Reputable Los Angeles based company
• Image from depositphotos, ID 15892692
• Shutterstock Sequence Number: US-041C159DA-1

Water Damage Zone, Inc.

Corporate Office

15115 Califa St. Ste. C

Van Nuys, CA 91411

 

Cleaning Smoke Damage Out of Your Home

 

When a fire occurs in your home it leaves behind damage in the form of soot and smoke deposits. It is important to ventilate the area after the fire occurs by running fans and leaving windows open. This will ensure that fresh air can replace the smoke damaged air in your home. The following tips will help you when cleaning smoke damage out of your home.

1. Always wear safety gear when dealing with smoke damage. This means safety goggles and gloves. The cleaning chemicals that you will be using can be damaging to your health if you are not prepared. Placing a cloth or a tarp on the floor will prevent anything that falls from staining and damaging it.

2. The first thing to do is remove any of the soot on your walls. You can do this by using a vacuum with an attachment for the hose. Using a brush on the hose, brush the soot off of the wall and suck it into the vacuum. Dry chemical sponges are also an option for removing smoke damage. They have chemicals that remove soot and smoke from the wall but must be washed and allowed to air dry after use.

3. Another popular chemical to use is Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) solution. This chemical is a powerful cleaner that will need to be used with a sponge to scrub your walls down. You should work pieces of your walls at a time. Clean one area completely before moving to the next. You may need to repeat this several times while being sure not to let the wall get too wet. If your walls become too wet this could allow mold to start growing.

4. After all of the smoke damage and soot is removed, wipe the walls down with white vinegar. This will remove the smoke odor from the walls of your home. After wiping them down, spray the area with a deodorizing spray to eliminate any lingering odors.

If you don’t feel like taking your time to follow the proper protocol when repairing smoke damage, it is best to call professionals. Companies like Water Damage Zone know how to properly restore smoke damaged rooms to their former glory. Not only will the room look like new but it will be free of any lingering smoke odors.

 

Call Water Damage Zone today (877) 520-1923  your future bills may be a lot smaller, if you follow these simple tips. You can also visit our sister company for further information on restoration services at Best American Builders.

We specialize in the following services:

• 24/7 Emergency Response, Water Extraction, Water Damage
• Direct Billing to Insurance, Locally Owned and Operated
• Water Cleanup, Water Dry outs, Visual Mold Inspections, Sewage Damage Cleanup
• Sterilizing & Odor Removal, Licensed & Bonded #963976, Reputable Los Angeles based company
• Image from depositphotos, ID 15892692
• Shutterstock Sequence Number: US-041C159DA-1

 

Water Damage Zone, Inc.
Corporate Office
15115 Califa St. Ste. C
Van Nuys, CA 91411

What is Sewage?

Frozen toilet bowl

Soooooooooooo you don’t know what sewage is well, I’ll make it easy for you.

No worries this will only take a few minutes, really I timed it. Sewage simply put is; water that
carries waste. This causes extreme and heavily priced water damage. No beating around the
bush here you will get straight up water damage.

The sewage contains all your filth and unwanted nastiness out of the community. Don’t say you’re not dirty I’m not pointing fingers here we all are ok just you, I was trying to be nice. Hate to get mathematical here but sewage is
actually 99.9% pure water, that’s almost 100% if you didn’t know. Depending on where it
comes from waste water can either be labeled sanitary, industrial or surface run offs.
This “sewage” as society properly calls it causes water damage. Sanitary sewage you may be
wondering ummmmm what is that? well, let me tell you that is all the water from washing food, doing laundry well you get the idea.

How does sewage affect us?

That is a good question. Well, sewage causes  several health problems and water damage. First off sewage causes pathogenic organisms which can transmit diseases to humans and other animals. Therefore it’s not just affecting you but also your cute little furry friends. Look at those eyes just telling you, “this place smells and you want
me to eat my food in a bowl on the floor, I thought we were friends, I mean you did let me
cuddle with you last night.” The sewage contains organic matter which can cause water damage
to your home. Not to mention the hazardous toxicants from that awful smell of sewage. Yup
that’s right folks it smells horrendous. This sewage causes water damage. The amount of water
damage to one’s home due to the sewage causes blockages to the homes pipes. Wait did I
mention it stinks?

How To Clean sewage?

First and foremost one of the absolute most important things to do is to not panic because
this is a stressful time so take a deep breath…. Meditate, do some Thai chi whatever you have to
do to relax, in fact I’ll do it with you here we go
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm….hhhummmmmmmmmmm, ok let’s get started.

Don’t hit the bottle just yet you have work to do. Alright now we can get started. Don’t get into contact
directly with your skin, wear some goggles, rubber gloves and rubber boots you know common
sense stuff, to clean the sewage and water damage. Then asses the water damage caused by the
smelly sewage. As with any other type of water damage one must remove all furniture, rugs and
anything else that can be removed. Throw away any carpet or rugs that are just saturated with
sewage. Use mild soap and hot water to clean the water damage. Replace the drywall and clean
furniture and appliances with some bleach. When you are done throw away all the material used
to clean and open up all the windows and breathe again because you are done. It wasn’t easy but
we did it together, well mostly just me telling you, but hey I was there in spirit. Ok now you can
celebrate and drink up. Oh and for you nondrinkers maybe drink a juice box.

 

Call Water Damage Zone today (877) 520-1923  your future bills may be a lot smaller, if you follow these simple tips. You can also visit our sister company for further information on restoration services at Best American Builders.

We specialize in the following services:

• 24/7 Emergency Response, Water Extraction, Water Damage
• Direct Billing to Insurance, Locally Owned and Operated
• Water Cleanup, Water Dry outs, Visual Mold Inspections, Sewage Damage Cleanup
• Sterilizing & Odor Removal, Licensed & Bonded #963976, Reputable Los Angeles based company
• Image from depositphotos, ID 15892692
• Shutterstock Sequence Number: US-041C159DA-1

 

Water Damage Zone, Inc.
Corporate Office
15115 Califa St. Ste. C
Van Nuys, CA 91411

Water Damage in Commercial Buildings

Couple with contractor

While focusing on water damage and prevention tends to favor the home, it is necessary to be vigilant about the position of commercial buildings as well.  In many cases, commercial buildings have the same risks as private homes.  If left unchecked, water damage in commercial buildings can lead to structural damage and mold.  All of these can contribute to damaging the structure and creating very expensive repairs.

When dealing with large commercial buildings such as warehouses and hotels, it is necessary to continuously inspect the property.  While some would suggest a monthly rotation, it would be most beneficial to inspect the property on a weekly basis.  This could be the job of a project manager to inspect the parts of the building that would be most susceptible to moisture buildup.  This would include areas with extensive piping or ceilings.  It is essential to look for drips or other evidence of pooling.   HVAC systems are also areas where inspectors will want to focus their efforts. If there are low-lying areas of the property, such as underground storage or garages, it is essential to make sure that these areas have effective methods of drainage to prevent the accumulation of water.  In order to accomplish this, it is necessary to outfit these sections with pumps in case of periods of heavy rain when water may accumulate.

When dealing with water in commercial settings it is essential to develop and adhere to a plan for employees to follow if water damage is found.   A basic plan should be written down and available in a variety of locations for the use of management and employees.  The plans should include training measures so that employees know where to look for common areas of water damage, and if necessary, employees should be knowledgeable of the location and proper procedure for shutting off the water to the building. With all the plans for the guidelines, contact information should be made available for access to maintenance, plumbers, electricians, and water clean-up services in order to facilitate the repair of water damage.   The information of the water company and insurance should also be present to make sure that water is cut off and that all damages are assessed for payment if necessary.

The guidelines for a response should be kept in a safe location that puts it above the water damage.  The guidelines should also have plans for the relocation of records off-site for their preservation, but also for the temporary halting of operations until the site can be restored.  Once the water damage is repaired, then the commercial building can be opened once more. Maintaining a commercial building can be a tricky endeavor with water damage.  If one remains vigilant in maintaining sight of leaks and sources of water damage, then perhaps large problems can be averted before they become large problems.

Call Water Damage Zone today at (877) 520-1923  your future bills may be a lot smaller if you follow these simple tips. You can also visit our sister company for further information on restoration services at Best American Builders.

We specialize in the following services:

• 24/7 Emergency Response, Water Extraction, and Water Damage
• Direct Billing to Insurance, Locally Owned and Operated
• Water Cleanup, Water Dry outs, Visual Mold Inspections, Sewage Damage Cleanup
• Sterilizing & Odor Removal, Licensed & Bonded #963976, Reputable Los Angeles based company
• Image from deposit photos, ID 15892692
• Shutterstock Sequence Number: US-041C159DA-1

Water Damage Zone, Inc.
Corporate Office
15115 Califa St. Ste. C
Van Nuys, CA 91411

Attic Water Damage

Many people think that water damage can occur only in the basements, kitchens and bathrooms, but water damage also occurs fairly frequently in the attics of homes as well.  The attic is a great place for water damage to occur, because many of the conditions that make the basement so prevalent, such as moisture are present in the attic as well.  These issues can be noticed with discoloring of the ceiling, mold, but also with the disrepair of ceiling plaster.

 

Moisture

Moisture can find its way into the attic in a variety of ways.  Moisture, like heat tends to rise to the upper points of the home.  This means that it will collect in the attic.   One of the most common ways that moisture comes into an attic is through a openings around lights, exhaust vents into the attic and poor insulation behind the ceiling.  Once the moisture collects in the attic, you could face several different issues.

 

Condensation

Damage to your home can be through condensation.  One of the ways that your home could be damaged is through the creation of ice dams.  These dams can form as warm air is present in the attic, and then once it comes in contact with the colder parts of the roof, there is a freezing that allows snow melt to enter a home.  Moisture also leads to creation and buildup of mildew and mold, and these can spread through you HVAC systems into the rest of the home.  Finally, the presence of moisture can result in the rotting of the interior of the home and expensive repairs.

 

Airflow

You can work on the levels of moisture reaching the attic.  First, you can seal all potential points of entry from the interior of the house to the attic.  Make sure all vents have an exterior exhaust.  Make sure that airflow to soffits are always clear.  Increase the amount of insulation in the home, and add passive vents and roof fans to increase ventilation of the attic.

 

The Roof

You might not think of it on a regular basis, but a strong roof is just as important to the overall well-being of your home as a good foundation.  Water damage in the attic can be very pervasive and can promote tremendous damage.  If you find that you have water damage, then you will want to act quickly with restoration and mold removal in order to fix your home as soon as possible to save it.

Call Water Damage Zone today (877) 520-1923  your future bills may be a lot smaller, if you follow these simple tips. You can also visit our sister company for further information on restoration services at Best American Builders.

We specialize in the following services:

• 24/7 Emergency Response, Water Extraction, Water Damage
• Direct Billing to Insurance, Locally Owned and Operated
• Water Cleanup, Water Dry outs, Visual Mold Inspections, Sewage Damage Cleanup
• Sterilizing & Odor Removal, Licensed & Bonded #963976, Reputable Los Angeles based company
• Image from depositphotos, ID 15892692
• Shutterstock Sequence Number: US-041C159DA-1

Water Damage Zone, Inc.
Corporate Office
15115 Califa St. Ste. C
Van Nuys, CA 91411

How Long to Perform a Dry Out for Mold

 

Doing a dry out for mold is important but not always something that people know about and understand. Keep in mind that controlling the humidity in the home will help with a mold problem but it will not eliminate it completely. The humidity in the home should be around 50% or less for mold to become inactive. This means that it will stop it from growing and it won’t get any worse. Keep this humidity for as long as possible and especially while you are taking the time to eradicate the mold from your home. There are more steps to eliminating your mold after reducing the humidity.

Vapor Steam Cleaner

A good thing to use at this point to eliminate your mold problem is a vapor steam cleaner. This steam cleaner will use dry vapor that gets up to between 180 and 220 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is high enough to actually kill the mold and this works on most kinds of mold. There are some types that are heat resistant and may actually become dormant and not die from this method.

Tea Tree Oil

A combination of tea tree oil and water can be used by spraying it on top of the mold. Use this combination at a mixture of 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil for every 2 cups of water. Apply it to all of the mold in the location. This will work to kill off most mold in areas like the shower, bathroom, and kitchen where you don’t want to use harsh chemicals in case you accidentally ingest or inhale them.

White Vinegar

White vinegar in a bottle has been known to eliminate mold on contact. Just buy your white vinegar and pour it directly into a spray bottle. Then spray it directly onto moldy areas and let it dry. The smell will be strong but when used repeatedly and allowed to dry completely, the results will be good. Vinegar is another good alternative for those of us who are harmful to chemicals or just being cautious for their own health and well-being.

Call Professionals for Big Mold Problems

While the methods listed above work for small mold problems that pop up from time to time, they will not work on larger areas with mold damage. These problem areas will need an expert’s touch. Only hire companies like Water Damage Zone, who are certified in mold removal, and will treat your property with the utmost care. We have an expert team of professionals who ensure that the problem is solved quickly and with proper care to a customer’s personal property.

Call Water Damage Zone today (877) 520-1923  your future bills may be a lot smaller, if you follow these simple tips. You can also visit our sister company for further information on restoration services at Best American Builders.

We specialize in the following services:

• 24/7 Emergency Response, Water Extraction, Water Damage
• Direct Billing to Insurance, Locally Owned and Operated
• Water Cleanup, Water Dry outs, Visual Mold Inspections, Sewage Damage Cleanup
• Sterilizing & Odor Removal, Licensed & Bonded #963976, Reputable Los Angeles based company
• Image from depositphotos, ID 15892692
• Shutterstock Sequence Number: US-041C159DA-1

Water Damage Zone, Inc.

Corporate Office

15115 Califa St. Ste. C

Van Nuys, CA 91411