Recent Fire Damage Posts

Wildfire Damage Event

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

Wildfires here in Southern California increase their impact as Santa Ana winds add fuel to devastating blazes that encroach our area. Santa Ana winds enable fires to rapidly increase their reach and can have speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour. As a result, a wildfire can be a total loss for a home or business in many cases and in others it may be a partial loss or mild smoke damage. Whichever the case may be, if your home or business is affected by a wildfire rest assured that SERVPRO of La Puente/City of Industry West is here to help. 

About SERVPRO of La Puente/City of Industry West 

SERVPRO of La Puente/City of Industry West  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. 

Fire or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help (626)330-1027

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and Soot Facts:

  • Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
  • Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
  • The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of La Puente/City of Industry West will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting.

Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

  • Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

  • Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

  • Virtually invisible, discolors paints/varnishes, and has an extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today (626)330-1027

Ways Business Owners Can Lower Their Fire Risk | SERVPRO® of La Puente/City of Industry West

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

If you own your own business, you understand how many elements there are to plan for—but have you planned for emergency scenarios such as fires? Commercial fires can start for many reasons, and for those who are not prepared, they can be devastating. Planning ahead to reduce the risk of a fire on your property can go a long way in protecting your investment.

To make the planning process as easy as possible, we have compiled a list of the essential tips for fire safety that every business owner should know. By taking these simple measures, you can greatly increase preparedness at your business and reduce your time for recovery, as well.

Follow code guidelines and inspection schedules. Checking up on commercial fire safety codes is a great first step toward your business’ fire preparedness efforts. These codes are set up by the National Fire Protection Association and cover things such as fire exits, equipment inspections and other precautions you can take within the workplace to be prepared.

Identify your specific risks. Depending on your industry, you may have additional fire risks specific to your business. Things like special equipment, cooking surfaces, chemicals and more can all contribute to your likelihood of a fire and should be built into your fire safety planning for best results.

Create (and practice) a fire evacuation plan. For businesses with on-site staff, taking time to plan and practice a fire escape is essential to fire safety plans. When the fire alarm sounds, confusion can quickly turn to panic if the staff is unprepared. Make sure everyone is aware of the exits throughout the building and where to reconvene for a headcount outside.

Have regular fire safety seminars with staff. In addition, to escape drills, general fire safety tips should also be reviewed with staff frequently. Indicating the storage location of fire extinguishers, proper use of the equipment and other fire hazards around the building, and any other relevant information pertinent to fire safety will keep both new hires and experienced staff educated and prepared.

If your business has experienced a fire, we’re here 24⁄7 to respond and begin restoration. Call us today to learn how we can help you.

A house fire can occur when you least expect it. SERVPRO of La Puente/City of Industry West is on call 24/7 and will guide you through any restoration

2/5/2020 (Permalink)

fireplace Keep These Top Fire Safety Tips in Mind | SERVPRO® of La Puente/City of Industry West

Fire safety is a chief concern for many individuals, and for good reason. House fires occur quite frequently for a variety of reasons and can lead to extensive property damage as well as injuries and fatalities for those who experience them.

Because of this, being aware of fire safety tips is one of the best things to do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. After seeing many house fires throughout our years in the restoration industry, we decided to put the top fire safety tips in one place to help you be prepared.

Tips About Fire Safety You Need to Know

Frequently Check Smoke Detectors. Installing and maintaining a smoke alarm system for your home is one of the most important things to do to increase fire safety. It is recommended that a smoke detector be placed in every room of the home and that you do a test each month to make sure the batteries are charged.

Have a Fire Escape Plan. In the event of a sudden fire, having an evacuation plan for the household is key. By designating two exits from each room and an outdoor meeting place for your family, you can ensure that everyone can get out safely and reconvene quickly while you await aid.

Know How to Operate a Fire Extinguisher. There are many types of fire extinguishers to choose from, so it is advised to get the type you think will be most suited to your needs. Make sure you fully understand how to use it and share the information with your family members, as well.

Never Leave Flames Unattended. Open flames are a part of everyday life—between cooking, heating our homes and enjoying candles, there are many opportunities for flames to grow out of hand. A small fire can spread in an instant, which is why no open flame should ever be left unattended within the home.

Keep a Closed-Door Policy. Fires at night are quite common and tend to be more fatal than those that happen while residents are awake and alert. Fortunately, simply keeping bedroom doors shut at night can reduce the risk of a fire fatality dramatically, as it slows the spread of flames and provides more reaction time to those in the house.

If you’d like to learn more about protecting yourself from a house fire and how our restoration services can help you recover, get in touch today to learn more.

Practicing prevention is the best way to reduce the chance of a fire, however if you do experience a loss contact SERVPRO of La Puente/City of Industr

12/9/2019 (Permalink)

Snow on tree Reasons for Winter Fires

Preventing fires is always a wise safety measure to undertake, but brushing up on your fire facts in the winter is especially wise. Even in areas that do not experience extreme cold, winter is the most common time for house fires and it is important to know the why and how of preventing them.

Reasons for Winter Fires

An Increase in Cooking
Fires are most often caused by cooking incidents during any season, but the conditions in the winter months make them especially likely to start. Because many people cook each day, it can be easy to fall into unsafe patterns that can lead to a fire’s beginnings.

The Risk of Heaters
Even in mild winter weather, having a way to generate heat can be nice, as long as it is done safely. The second most common cause of winter fires is unsafe heating practices. Making sure to invest in portable heaters with safety features and keeping flammable items away from a fireplace or woodstove will reduce the likelihood that an accident could happen.

Candles and Decorations
Holiday decorations can bring about a festive air, but not every decoration is safe. Many electrical decorative pieces are only used once per year, causing their electrical components to deteriorate and cause a fire hazard. Additionally, candles always pose an increased fire risk as it is possible for the flame to travel to other nearby objects.

Preventing Winter Fires

The frequency of winter fires makes prevention all the more important during the shorter days. Understanding why fires are caused most frequently in the winter and taking note of these fire prevention tips is the best way to keep your household safe:

  • Check smoke alarms once every 30 days and replace every 10 years.
  • Always monitor open flames.
  • Select space heaters with automatic shut-offs in case they tip over.
  • Utilize a screen every time you use a fireplace.
  • Draft and practice an emergency escape plan with your household.

If your home has been impacted by a fire, call us right away. We are leaders in restoration and can help you recover quickly after a fire occurs.

Having a team on your side after a disaster can help relieve stress. SERVPRO of La Puente/City of Industry West is here to help when a fire strikes.

11/12/2019 (Permalink)

House Fire Residential fire

Fire preparedness is a year-round skill to hone, but it should receive extra focus and attention during the winter when the chances of fires are raised. The Red Cross reports that December and January are peak months for house fires, and as winter approaches, checking up on your preparedness is advised.

In case a house fire breaks out, every family member should have the fire evacuation plan memorized to get to safety. After the flames are extinguished, already having an idea of what restoration company to call can help your restoration move much more quickly so you can have your home back as soon as possible.

Our Thorough Fire Cleanup Process

An important part of getting over the traumatic event of a house fire is establishing a sense of normalcy again, which can happen much more quickly when your home and belongings are back to their pre-fire state. That is why we provide a thorough cleanup process following a fire, so we can handle all elements of damage and restore things well for your family.

Structural Cleaning

Proper restoration of the structure is essential to the longevity of your home, which is why we start out with thorough tests to get a full picture of what is damaged. Once we determine what needs to be restored, our technicians begin cleaning the soot-covered surfaces and removing charring, then start the reconstruction process to ensure your home is still stable.

Content Cleaning

We understand the hassle of replacing all your belongings, and it is generally more expensive as well. That is why we have both wet and dry cleaning equipment so we can restore your items and ensure they are not dangerous to use following a fire. Our advanced equipment allows us to handle a variety of objects such as wood furniture, area rugs and electronics, plus many more.

Deodorization Services

Smoke odors and soot can persist even after other fire restoration has been completed, leading to extreme consequences for your family’s health. By bringing in air foggers and scrubbers, we can remove all of these harmful particles—not only getting rid of the odor but making sure your home is safe as well.

If you’ve been affected by a fire, reach out to us right away! We are here 24⁄7 to help you recover.

626-330-1027