Glendale Fire and Flood Damage Services

The IICRC, the world’s leading non-profit for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industry) has water damage restoration guidelines based on the amount of water and its level of contamination.  Failure to follow this guidance soon leads to mold and other health hazards, damaged drywall, warped and split wood, and more.  There can be significant new damage in as little as 24 hours, and even with moderate amounts of water progressive deterioration can go on for weeks.

For “Class 1” situations involving only a few square feet of soaked flooring, a wet-vac, lifting the carpet (to speed drying), and replacing the padding may be all the water damage restoration that’s necessary.  But beyond that highly trained technicians with special equipment is necessary.  Our water extraction gear pulls up to twice as much water out of walls and ceilings (not just flooring) to immediately reduce indoor air humidity, helping to protect belongings and speed building drying.  Removing dampness that’s made its way deeply into the structure quickly enough requires industry-unique dehumidifiers and air movers.  Plus frequent monitoring and adjustments by our experts.  Whether it’s summer or rainy season, we’ll complete structural dry out of your Glendale home or business in just a few days.

Other aspects of flood restoration have more to do with the likelihood that disease germs are present.  Clean water (IICRC Category 1) is direct from drinking water plumbing, but after 24 hours degrades into Category 2.  The second category also includes discharge from washing machines, dishwashers, showers, and so on.  So beyond debris removal and general cleanup, expert cleaning is important for disinfection as well as appearance.

It’s not surprising that a sewage backup is Category 3, grossly unsanitary.  But did you know that any water which has come in contact with soil is in the same category?  Both are likely to be filled with disease-causing bacteria and viruses.  So flood water removal and sewage extraction must include containment and isolation, and diligent cleaning and disinfection by our microbial remediation technicians.  Sewage removal must even follow regulations regarding transportation and disposal.

Besides dealing with the emotions brought on by loss, fire damage restoration requires far more than debris removal, repairs, and cleanup.  We’ll take care of those, but only after securing building openings and completing any necessary structural reinforcements.  We’ll also isolate undamaged areas so life (or work) can go on, and set up HEPA air filters that work towards keeping things clean and safe.  And for anything more than the smallest blaze we’ll bring in our water restoration experts to deal with the aftermath of fire hoses and sprinklers.

Smoke, ash, and soot can reach just about everywhere, even inside undamaged walls and other cavities.  It takes training and experience just to know all the places to check!  If not properly removed smoke can permanently discolor many materials in just a few hours.  In just a few days it corrodes all uncoated metals and penetrates so deeply into porous materials that it can no longer be removed, leaving those lingering fire odors.  Our dry-ice blasting equipment quickly removes smoke and char without damaging building surfaces, and our certified smoke removal technicians take care of the rest.  Our ozone generators release an ecologically-friendly gas that penetrates porous surfaces, and even reaches into the building’s inner structure to completely neutralize odors.