Los Angeles Fire Damage Restoration Experts
A fire in your Los Angeles home is a traumatic event, and the damage extends far beyond what the flames consume. At On Call Restoration, we understand the devastation and the complex restoration process that follows. We’re here to help you navigate this challenging time with expertise, compassion, and rapid action.
- Protein Fire: Often results from burned food in the oven or on the stove. This type of fire leaves behind strong, acrid odors and sticky, hard-to-remove smoke residue on contents and surfaces.
- Complex Fire: When multiple natural and synthetic materials burn, it creates a greasy, yellowish residue that coats everything. This scenario often requires immediate corrosion mitigation to protect at-risk metal surfaces and electronics from permanent damage.
- Natural Fire: Occurs when outdoor elements like trees, shrubs, or brush burn, allowing smoke to penetrate the structure from outside. This leads to pervasive smoke odor and fine soot residue throughout the property.
- Furnace Malfunction: Malfunctioning heating appliances, particularly oil-fired furnaces, can distribute smoke and soot throughout your entire property via the HVAC system.
Beyond the Burn: Lingering Fire Damage
The destructive power of fire continues even after the flames are extinguished. Without professional intervention, your home and belongings face ongoing deterioration:
- Ash and smoke continue to cause damage and corrosion to materials left behind, leading to irreversible etching and staining.
- Lingering smoke odors penetrate deep into porous materials, remaining in a room or home long after the fire if not properly removed.
- Within minutes, walls, ceilings, and other surfaces can become discolored.
- Within a few hours, finishes on kitchen appliances can turn yellow, and plastic items may begin to degrade.
- Smoke causes etching in glass and rapid tarnishing of metals, often permanently.
The Critical Importance of Professional Fire Damage Restoration
The residue left behind after a fire is often acidic, corrosive, and can contain hazardous particles that pose significant health risks. Attempting to clean your home on your own after a fire can lead to further damage, spread soot, and expose you to harmful contaminants.
Only emergency fire damage restoration experts with the specialized training, protective gear, and advanced tools can ensure the job is done properly and safely. At On Call Restoration, we possess the expertise to meticulously clean, deodorize, and restore your property, preventing secondary damage and ensuring a healthy living environment.
Immediate Steps During a Fire Loss
Disasters like fires are incredibly traumatizing. While our restoration experts are on their way, here are some quick tips to help mitigate further damage and ensure safety:
Quick Tips for What You SHOULD Do:
- Air out the house by opening windows to help reduce smoke odor.
- Gently clean laminate surfaces, chrome, porcelain, and aluminum to prevent permanent tarnishing and etching.
- Change the air filter on your furnace if your home uses a forced hot air system.
- Tape damp cheesecloth over returns and supply registers to help capture loose soot in the air.
- Discard any open food packages as they may be contaminated by smoke and soot.
- If the electricity is off, clean out the refrigerator and leave doors propped open to prevent odor and mold.
- Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified restoration dry cleaner to avoid setting odors or stains.
What You Should NOT Do:
- Do not touch anything with your bare hands. The oil from your skin can permeate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, compounding soot damage.
- Do not wash the walls. Incorrect cleaning methods can spread soot residue, driving it deeper into porous surfaces and making removal more difficult.
- Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture. Without proper techniques and solutions, you risk setting stains and odors permanently.
- Do not use electrical appliances until they have been thoroughly checked by a qualified professional for smoke or water damage.
- Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling appears wet, as this poses an electrical hazard.
Our Comprehensive Fire Damage Restoration Services
On Call Restoration is dedicated to helping you, your family, and your Los Angeles home get back to normal as quickly and safely as possible. We offer 24/7 availability and work in a fast, efficient manner that never compromises quality. Our services include:
- Emergency Board-Up & Tarping: Securing your property immediately after the fire.
- Smoke and Soot Removal: Thorough cleaning of all surfaces, contents, and air ducts.
- Odor Neutralization: Advanced techniques to eliminate pervasive smoke odors.
- Content Cleaning & Restoration: Specialized methods for cleaning and restoring furniture, electronics, documents, and personal belongings.
- Structural Cleaning & Repair: Addressing the damage to walls, ceilings, and other structural components.
- HVAC System Cleaning: Ensuring your heating and cooling system is free of smoke and soot particles.
- Corrosion Control: Mitigating damage to at-risk metals and electronics.
- Reconstruction Services: Full reconstruction for areas too damaged to be restored.
When disaster strikes, remember On Call Restoration. We are your trusted partner in Los Angeles for expert fire damage restoration, committed to restoring your home and your peace of mind.
Experiencing fire damage in your Los Angeles home? Call On Call Restoration immediately for expert assistance.
