Fire Damage In Oak Knoll

1/3/2018 (Permalink)

The cost to restore a home after such a disaster primarily comes from cleaning smoke and soot residues.

Dealing With Fire Damage

Most fires in Oak Knoll do not destroy the entire structure. The cost to restore a home after such a disaster primarily comes from cleaning smoke and soot residues. One of the more difficult aspects to removing residues is the odor molecules that they leave in every home and on the property inside.

Eliminating the odors from Oak Knoll fire damage can be an extensive process, depending on the type of affected property and how deep the odor molecules have gotten into it. To neutralize them, SERVPRO has developed a set of three methods we call Multiple-Phase Odor Control.

Chemical Containment is the first phase. The goal here is to keep odor molecules from turning into a vapor and escaping the air. To interrupt the process, our technicians spray a deodorizing agent directly onto any smoke and soot residues. The chemical forms a barrier which stops or at least slows evaporation.

Next is Vapor Odor Control. Restoration specialists release a deodorizing vapor to counteract and smoke and soot molecules already in the air. SERVPRO has a variety of granular agents with different, pleasant odors in our inventory. We release them immediately after starting Containment.

Thermal Fogging is our most technical phase. Technicians use a portable, heated, fog machine to disperse solvent-based deodorizing agents. The heat generated breaks down the agent into particles the same size as the odor molecules. The two types of molecules bond together, which changes the chemical composition of both and neutralizes the odor completely.

The fog generated evaporates within several hours and leaves almost no moisture, which prevents surface staining. That makes thermal fogging an ideal method for personal property like curtains, drapes, and upholstery. It is also excellent to neutralize odors trapped in drywall and other building materials.

Every set of odors is different, and may not require each phase to eliminate them. Our restoration crew checks each item after phases one and two to make sure that moving to the next is necessary.

Removing odors from your home may seem like an after-thought compared to disposing of damaged property and replacing melted, kitchen countertops. A lingering odor though is just that. It stays in your home and does not go away on its own. If you have a smoke odor or any other damage to your home, SERVPRO of Minnetonka is here to help. Call us today at (952) 473-4837 to schedule an inspection.

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