How Do Wildfires Damage Nearby Homes?

10/5/2020 (Permalink)

Los Angeles Homeowners are concerned about wildfires close to Los Angeles. SERVPRO Offers fire damage cleanup and restoration.

Los Angeles and California contends with wildfires that can stretch for miles and impact thousands of homes in varying ways.

As devastating as wildfires can be to Los Angeles area homes in the path of this moving natural disaster, households in the vicinity can also be impacted in other ways. Odors, soot, and embers can all have overwhelming effects on your property's look and function. Contending with these conditions often requires professional restoration technicians like our SERVPRO team. We have experience in fire recovery, as well as potent cleaning products and efficient tools to get your property back to preloss condition.

What Are the Most Common Threats to a House During a Wildfire?

Wildfires feed most on structures and forestry, making fire restoration for Los Angeles homes impacted a challenge. Soot is one of the most substantial obstacles, and it is generated by the incomplete combustion of fuels like wood. Creosote concerns can also be a concern from this burned material, much like the hazards from allowing this substance to build up in chimney flues. While your home might not always be in the direct line of a spreading wildfire approaching the city, there are several ways it could require professional cleaning and recovery, such as:

• HVAC Damage – The intake of your air conditioning that often runs most days throughout the year can quickly pull in contaminated air from the outside and potentially spread soot particles, ash, and smoke throughout the house. 
• Exterior Soot Damage – Siding and brickwork on the outside of your home has a textured surface, allowing soot particles to collect quickly. The thicker these coatings, the more challenging they can be to remove before staining and marring occur.
• Structural Compromise – While ash and soot particles can travel for miles on the air surrounding a wildfire, direct structural damage in the moving fire's path must also get addressed. We have contractors to help in these situations where demolition and reconstruction are necessary.

As unfortunate as wildfires can be for thousands affected, our SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park team can help you manage the emergency with a fast, knowledgeable response. Give us a call at (213) 628-2000.