Smoke Damage San Diego County

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – (619) 435-0365

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.  

San Diego Fire

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 San Diego Bay SW/Coronado 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 and varnishes, 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.

San Diego Earthquake

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration 24/7 Emergency Service (619) 435-0365

In the event of an earthquake, secured gas lines are likely to become dislodged, leaving natural gas exposed and possibly resulting in a fire. When it comes to fire safety and earthquake preparedness, having a shut-off valve installed on your natural gas line or propane gas can help prevent fires and should not be overlooked when it comes to earthquake safety. Keep reading for more earthquake safety tips.

Evaluate Your Property’s Risk of Damage

• If the facility is located in an earthquake-prone area, the gas lines should be properly braced and equipped with proper safety devices. Because most gas or propane lines are rigid, they can be torn from their connection points during an earthquake.
• A broken gas or propane line creates the potential for a fire or explosion.
• Fire following an earthquake is a frequent source of property damage that can be reduced by taking the proper steps before an earthquake strikes.
• Safety shut-off valves will stop the flow of gas when they sense a problem. 

Please click below for more safety and prevention tips.

CDC Natural Disasters and Severe Weather

What Should I After A Fire?

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

Fire or Smoke Damage? Please Call (619) 435-0365

SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado understands the stress that comes after a fire.  Once the fire is put out, a lot of clients have  questions on what the next step is.  After any fire damage situation, your primary focus should be safety first:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

What To Do After A Fire

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Change HVAC filter.   

      Fire Victim Resources

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.

San Diego Fire Season

4/28/2022 (Permalink)

Concerned About Fire or Smoke Damage? Please Call (619) 435-0365

SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado is looking forward to spending time at our beautiful beaches this summer.  Unfortunately it's also getting closer to fire season, which is always a concern in San Diego, due to the lack of rain. Listed below are some tips in preventing accidentally finding carelessly dumped hot coals.  

San Diego Burn Institute 

• Always wear sandals or shoes getting to and from the beach to avoid hot, buried coals. 
• Be aware of tar and hot coals from the fire rings on the beach.  
• Only dispose of hot coals in proper containers; do not cover hot coals with sand! Buried coals remain hot for up to 24 hours and may cause a serious burn injury to an unsuspecting beachgoer.  

SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado spends a lot of time at the beach during the summer.  As the beaches slowly begin opening up, we hope everyone enjoys and stays safe this summer.  

How To Prevent Fire Damage In San Diego

4/4/2022 (Permalink)

Have Questions? Please call (619) 435-0365

SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado specializes in fire and water damage restoration; it's the cornerstone of our business. In our past experience we have seen the differences in a home or business having functioning smoke detectors versus non-functioning.  With Daylight Savings time recently happening it's a good time to talk about the importance of smoke detectors. 

Smoke detectors are some of the most important things in your home or business, because they are proven lifesavers.  More fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping.  Listed below are some tips on installing and maintaining properly working smoke detectors, courtesy of the San Diego Fire Department. 

San Diego Fire Department

Installation

• Install a smoke detector on each level of your home.
• The detector should be centrally located between the bedrooms.
• Place smoke detectors in each bedroom.
• If you, or someone in your home is deaf or hard of hearing, consider installing an alarm that combines flashing lights, vibration and/or sound.
• Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises). Ceiling mounted alarms should be installed at least four inches away from the nearest wall; wall-mounted alarms should be installed four to 12 inches away from the ceiling.

Test and Maintain

• Test detectors once a month.
• Detectors should not be painted.
• Most units should be vacuumed once a year to remove cobwebs and dust that may impair a detector's sensitivity.
• Never paint smoke alarms. Paint, stickers, or other decorations could keep the alarms from working.
• Smoke alarms don't last forever. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years. California law requires that the new alarm you buy will have a ten-year, sealed battery.

What to Do if Your Alarm Sounds

• Don't try to fight the fire yourself.
• Get out of the house as quickly as possible.
• Call 9-1-1 as soon as you are out of the house.

Five Star Google Reviews for Restoration Services

4/4/2022 (Permalink)

Need a Free Inspection? Please Call (619) 435-0365

SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado takes pride in treating every client with the respect they deserve even if they are not the home or business owner.  Below is a testimonial from a tenant of a townhome that needed our services. SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado now has over 50 Five Star Google Reviews.  

Google Reviews

"What a team! These guys at SERVPRO really know what they are doing and talking about. They work efficiently and kept us updated every step of the way. I couldn't ask for a better team to handle the clean up and repairs to our home. They worked with us to make sure we had a place to stay while our home was under renovation and really seemed to take a genuine interest in our well being. I would definitely recommend their services to any and everyone. Thank you guys for your hospitality and your updates every step of the way." 

Who Can Help With Smoke Damage Caused By a Fire?

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

Have Smoke Damage Caused By a Fire? Please Call (619) 435-0365

Fire and smoke damage is especially destructive. Listed below are some of the services SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coroando provide to help restore your home after fire and smoke damage. 

Air Quality Index

 Structural Cleaning - After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. Your experienced SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado professional will pretest to determine the extent of damage, and then use the specific equipment and cleaning products required to clean and protect the different types of surfaces found in your structure. Depending on the amount of soot, we may even be able to reduce the cost of recovery by cleaning lighter soot deposits found on some surfaces, eliminating the expense incurred with repainting or refinishing.   

Contents Cleaning – All of the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery. SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado begins by carefully inspecting and testing all fabrics in the structure to determine which cleaning methods are most appropriate.  Additionally, all the other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to preloss condition.

Deodorization – SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado professionals provide specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage.  We do not merely cover up lingering odors with a fragrance, we seek out the sources of the odor and remove them.

Free Inspections

6/18/2021 (Permalink)

Have Questions Regarding Our Free Inspections? Please Call (619) 435-0365

SERVPRO of San Diego Bay/Coronado provides free inspections to any potential client that suspects water, fire or smoke damage. 

There are many times the free inspections do not turn into a job and that's ok.  We believe the most important thing is being honest with the individual and pointing them in the right direction.  Below is our latest 5 Star Google review.  

Google Reviews   

"Scott's team was amazing! Very professional and kind. You feel you are dealing with friends.  They checked my ceiling and gave me an estimate, and started promptly the next day.  They realized I had cancer and they provided a HEPA device to suck all the dust and odors and they did not want to charge me for that.  They came 2 days later and removed all the equipment and left everything as clean as a whistle.  The team was very engaging and explaining step by step all that they did.  I was very impressed with their attitude and professionalism.  I would use them for any future projects and would 150% recommend them to any friend or relative."

Where Do I Go After A Fire In My Home?

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today - (619) 435-0365

SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado receives a number of calls throughout the year after a home experiences a fire loss.  A common question asked by those that experience such a traumatic loss is, "where do I go now?"  

A huge resource for families after a fire loss is the American Red Cross.  The following statement is taken from the American Red Cross Website, 

American Red Cross 

"The Red Cross empowers ordinary people to perform extraordinary acts in emergency situations. We train. We mobilize. We connect donors and volunteers to those in urgent need of a helping hand. Whether it's a wildfire or a home fire, a call for blood, or a call from a service member or military family in need, the Red Cross is there." 

SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado hopes you never need the American Red Cross, but are grateful that they are here to help those in time of need.  

Water Damage Caused By Fire Sprinkler

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

Have Questions? Please Call (619) 435-0365

The water damage restoration process begins with a free detailed inspection of your property, including a damage assessment.

SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado has certified and licensed technicians that will determine the scope of the damage and develop an appropriate plan of action. We use all of the latest technology to see exactly what is hiding behind the surface and not clear to the naked eye. 

We responded to this call in Coronado, Ca where a fire sprinkler went off in a multi-unit structure.  Using our infrared camera we were able to get a better idea of the damage caused to this clients home.  

Infrared Camera

Call today for your Free Inspection. SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado is available 24-7 and proudly serves all of San Diego County.

Smoke Damage Caused By Fire in San Diego

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW / Coronado (619) 435-0365

In the wake of a fire that has covered homes with smoke and ash, it’s important to begin clean up as soon as possible in order to prevent permanent damage or discoloration from soot residue.

Valley Fire

Here are some tips for fire victims facing clean up

• Ventilate the home. Place a box fan in an open window to draw the air and dust out.
• Clean from top to bottom. Start with the ceilings, walls and fixtures, and work your way down to the contents of the room, then to the floor.
• Vacuum floors and upholstery. Make sure your vacuum cleaner has a high efficiency filter. Otherwise, you risk blowing soot back into the air.
• Some draperies, clothing and machine-washable items may be laundered. Use a mild alkaline cleaner to neutralize the acid in the soot. Fine clothing should be dry cleaned.
• If the damage and residue are heavy, it may be best to hire a professional to thoroughly restore your home and belongings.
• Check with your insurance company to see if smoke damage from outdoor sources is covered by your policy.
• Professional restoration technicians know that damage increases and restoration costs escalate the longer neutralization, corrosion control and cleaning is delayed. When homeowners prolong the restoration of their home, they extend the effects brought on by the smoke exposure. 

Have Fire or Smoke Damage? SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW / Coronado can help. 

Please Call (619) 435-0365

Smoke Damage Caused by Kitchen Fire in San Diego

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

Fire & Water - Cleanup and Restoration 24/7 Emergency Service (619) 435-0365

One of the biggest changes during the "shelter in place" order, is that many more individuals and families are cooking at home. 

The Burn Institute of San Diego is promoting home safety first and has provided some tips on how to prevent kitchen fires.  

Burn Institute

• Install a smoke detector near, but not in the kitchen. 
• Use caution when lighting the pilot light or burner on a gas stove.
• Don't use metal in the microwave.
• Don't overfill pots or pans with oil or grease.
• Wipe up spills and don't cook on a dirty stove.
• Always roll up long sleeves and tie back long hair when cooking. 

SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado hopes everyone is staying safe and healthy.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions.  

Fire Safety During Coronavirus in San Diego

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

Fire & Water - Cleanup and Restoration 24/7 Emergency Service (619) 435-0365

One of the concerns that comes with the "shelter in place order" in San Diego, CA, is that people are going to be spending a lot more time at home, which causes a concern with home fires caused by candles.  

According to the San Diego Fire Department, fires started by candles cause an estimated $539 million in direct property damage each year.  

candle safety tips

Listed below are some safety tips listed by the San Diego Fire Department. 

• Avoid using lighted candles
• If you do use candles, ensure they are in sturdy metal, glass, or ceramic holders and placed where they cannot be easily knocked down.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Always burn candles on heat resistant surfaces. A candle can melt plastic.
• Never burn candles near combustibles such as curtains or decorations.
• Never put candles near windows or exits.
• Never leave candles within reach of small children or pets.
• Keep burning candles at least four inches apart.
• Votive and scented candles turn to liquid as they burn. Be sure they are in a glass or metal container.
• Extinguish candles before leaving a room or falling asleep.
• Keep the candle wick neatly trimmed down to 1/4 inch. Trimming the wick keeps the candle burning slower with less smoke.
• When a candle's flame gets too high, blow it out, let it cool, trim the wick again to 1/4 inch, and then relight.

Blame it on The Rain

6/11/2019 (Permalink)

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today-619-435-0365

According to the San Diego Tribune, the heavy rainfall we received this past year has resulted in extensive vegetation growth that will eventually dry out and turn into fuel for wildfires. 

There is a dilemma about what to do regarding people who live in fire zones.  An analysis by the Los Angeles Times showed there are 1.1 million structures in the state's highest-risk fire areas.  San Diego is # 2 behind Los Angeles with 88,000 buildings in the highest-risk fire areas.  

“We’re going to continue to have fires,” CAL FIRE Deputy Chief David Nissen told Smith. “They’re going to be a part of people’s lives in Southern California and California generally. It’s what we do to adjust to minimize risk.”

Hopefully no homes or offices are damaged by fires this year, but it is inevitable that the smoke and soot from wildfires will reach all corners of the county.  

If you have a strong smell of smoke or soot in your home it is usually covered by your homeowners or renters insurance to have your home and belongings cleaned and deodorized from top to bottom. 

SERVPRO of Coronado / San Diego Bay SW provides free inspections.  Please call us @ 619-435-0365

Fire and Burn Safety

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – (619) 435-0365

With summer approaching the following are a few fire and burn safety tips from The Burn Institute. 

Sun Safety 

• When going outdoors always wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 25 with UVA and UVB protection and re-apply often and after swimming-serious sunburns can occur even when it is cloudy or overcast. 
• Wear dark sunglasses to protect your eyes and wear a broad-rimmed hat to protect your head and neck.  

Campfires

• Always use a designated fire pit. 
• Never leave a campfire unattended. 
• Always supervise children around campfires. 
• Before leaving your campsite, make sure the fire is properly extinguished-douse and stir the fire with water. 

Hotel Safety

• Upon arriving at your hotel room locate two exits closest to your room
• Read the fire evacuation plan carefully. If one is not posted in your room, request one from the front desk. 
• At the first sign of smoke stay close to the ground and head for that exit-in most cases it's the smoke that kills people and not the fire. 
• If you are trapped in your room turn on the bathroom vent, open the windows, phone 9-1-1 for help and give them your room number, fill the bath with water, stuff the cracks of your door with wet towels and sheets.  

SERVPRO of Coronado / San Diego Bay SW wishes everyone a Happy and Safe Summer season.  

Common Causes of House Fires

6/3/2019 (Permalink)

Have Questions? Call Us Today – (619) 435-0365

Here are top 3 most common causes of house fires as identified by the National Fire Protection Association. 

From 2012-2016, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 8,200 home structure fires that were started by candles per year. These fires caused an annual average of 80 deaths, 770 injuries and $264 million in direct property damage. 

Facts and figures

During the five-year period of 2012-2016:  

Candles 

Candles caused 2% of reported home fires, 3% of home fire deaths, 7% of home fire injuries, and 4% of the direct property damage in home fires. Roughly one-third (37%) of home candle fires started in bedrooms. These fires caused 30% of the associated deaths and 50% of the associated injuries

Falling asleep was a factor in 11% percent of the home candle fires and 21% of the associated deaths.

• On average, 23 home candle fires were reported per day. 
• Three of every five (60%) of home candle fires occurred when some form of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle.
• December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December, 12% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.     
• Cooking

What you should know about home cooking safety

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

3. Electrical 

Facts & figures

• In 2012-2016, electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in 35,100 reported home structure fire, on average, per year.
• These fires involved equipment such as wiring, lighting, cords and plugs.
• Electrical distribution or lighting equipment ranked first in direct property damage, and third among the major fire causes in the number of home fires, and tied for third in home fire deaths and home fire injuries. 

If a fire does happen, first call the fire department. Once the blaze has been put out you can contact the highly trained professionals at SERVPRO of Coronado / San Diego Bay SW to service your home and repair and restore after a fire damage. Call (619) 435-0365