Expert Smoke Damage Restoration Services in Akron, Ohio

A fire at your home or business can have devastating effects on your property and emotional health. Once the fire department puts out the flames, there is often damage left behind by the fire, smoke, and soot.

When smoke damage threatens your Akron home or business, every minute counts. Paul Davis provides expert smoke damage restoration services to offer immediate relief and long-term solutions. Our innovative techniques and specially trained, IICRC-certified technicians will restore your property to its pre-loss condition quickly and efficiently. Our franchises offer 24/7 emergency smoke restoration and fire damage repair services.

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Types of Smoke Damage

Understanding the different types of smoke damage sets up an effective fire restoration process. At Paul Davis of Akron, we tailor our fire cleanup approach based on the specific type of damage present, ensuring the most effective and efficient restoration process. There are a few common types of smoke:

• Wet Smoke: Wet smoke is produced by slow-burning, low-heat fires, typically resulting from smoldering plastics or rubber. It has a sticky, smeary appearance with a pungent odor. It is difficult to clean because it can cling to surfaces and penetrate deeply into materials. Our team uses specialized degreasing agents and detailed cleaning techniques to remove the sticky residue. Our process often involves thermal fogging to neutralize the pervasive odors associated with wet smoke.
• Dry Smoke: Dry smoke results from fast-burning, high-temperature fires, often from paper or wood. It is a dry, powdery residue that’s easier to spot clean but can settle into porous surfaces. It can cause significant discoloration and leave a lingering odor if not properly addressed. At Paul Davis, we employ dry cleaning methods, such as specialized vacuums and chemical sponges, followed by thorough deodorization techniques to remove both visible residue and hidden particles.
• Protein Smoke from Kitchen Fires: Protein smoke is produced by the burning of organic matter, such as food. It is a nearly invisible residue that discolors paints and varnishes. It has an extremely pungent odor that’s difficult to eliminate and can cause permanent discoloration if not addressed promptly. Our technicians use enzyme treatments specifically designed to break down protein residues. We combine this with ozone treatment and thermal fogging to effectively neutralize the persistent odors typical of protein fires.
• Fuel Oil Smoke: Fuel oil smoke results from burning petroleum products and is common in furnace puff-backs. Its thick, black smoke leaves a sticky, soot-like residue. It can be corrosive and penetrate deeply into porous materials and poses health risks if not properly cleaned. At Paul Davis, we utilize specialized solvents and detergents designed to break down oil-based residues. Our process includes thorough HEPA vacuuming, followed by detailed surface cleaning and sealing to prevent future staining or odor release.

Understanding Smoke Damage: More Than Meets the Eye

Fire damage is a complex and insidious problem that extends beyond the visible soot and discoloration associated with fire incidents. Smoke damage can cause:

• Persistent Odors: Smoke particles can penetrate deep into porous materials, causing lingering odors that persist long after cleaning visible traces.
• Discoloration of Materials: Smoke can cause yellowing of walls, ceilings, and fabrics, even in areas not directly touched by fire.
• Corrosion of Metal Surfaces: Smoke’s acidic nature can corrode metal fixtures, electronics, and appliances if not promptly addressed.
• Electrical System Damage: Smoke particles can infiltrate electrical components, potentially causing short circuits or system failures.
• HVAC System Contamination: Smoke can spread throughout a building’s ventilation system, affecting air quality in areas far from the original fire source.

These hidden effects of smoke damage underscore the importance of professional restoration. Our technicians at Paul Davis use specialized equipment like thermal foggers and air scrubbers to detect and eliminate smoke particles in hard-to-reach areas.

Restoration Process

It is important to start the fire restoration process as soon as possible to limit any further damage and get back into your home or business. At Paul Davis Akron, we understand this and offer 24/7 emergency services to start our assessment and restoration as quickly as possible.

Comprehensive Fire Restoration Services

Our certified technicians will work with you and insurance companies to provide an accurate assessment of the fire damage and restoration outlook. Afterward, we will begin cleaning and restoration. This process will include:

• The removal of all salvageable contents for cleaning and storage
• Restoration of the structure and anything else affected by smoke, soot, flames, or water
• Removal of the smoke and odor residue from all surfaces in your home
• Clear communication between Paul Davis, you, and the insurance company

Smoke Damage Restoration

To begin the smoke cleaning process, we will bring all of your personal possessions, household goods, and other contents to our secure cleaning and storage facility. Your items will be inventoried, cleaned, and repackaged before being safely stored for the remainder of the restoration process.

Smoke Odor Removal

Smoke odor is one of the most pervasive aspects of a structure fire. It is imperative to remove smoke smells from all surfaces and porous materials on your property. Paul Davis uses industry-leading methods like thermal fogging to remove soot, neutralize smoke odors, and replace things that may hold onto the odor, such as insulation. We avoid using ozone treatment and ozone generators that remove smoke odors but can be hazardous to your health.

Smoke Damage in Commercial Properties

Smoke damage in commercial properties presents unique challenges that go beyond those typically encountered in residential settings. Our approach addresses unique challenges businesses face while minimizing disruption to operations:

• Scale of Damage: Commercial properties often have larger spaces and more complex layouts, requiring more extensive restoration efforts.
• Diverse Materials: From specialized equipment to varied inventory, businesses often contain a wide range of materials that require different restoration techniques.
• Regulatory Compliance: Businesses must adhere to specific health and safety regulations, even during the restoration process.
• Brand Image: Visible smoke damage can negatively impact a company’s professional image and customer perception.

Our restoration process includes specialized cleaning techniques for electronics and personal property, detailed inventory assessment, and advanced document recovery methods to mitigate negative impacts from fire cleanup. We prioritize business continuity while ensuring thorough restoration:

• Rapid Response and Assessment: Our 24/7 emergency service lets us quickly evaluate the damage and develop a fire cleanup plan that minimizes downtime.
• Phased Restoration Approach: We strategically plan the fire restoration process to allow partial operation of the business where possible, focusing on critical areas first.
• After-Hours Work: We offer flexible scheduling to reduce interference with normal business hours, including night and weekend work.
• Advanced Containment Methods: We use containment systems to isolate affected areas, allowing unaffected portions of the property to remain operational.
• Expedited Equipment Cleaning: We prioritize restoring critical business equipment, using specialized cleaning techniques to return them to service as quickly as possible.
• Clear Communication: We maintain open lines of communication with business owners and managers, providing regular updates and adjusting our fire damage restoration approach as needed to accommodate business needs.
• Odor Control Measures: We implement advanced deodorization techniques to quickly eliminate smoke odors, maintaining a professional environment for employees and customers.

By combining our technical expertise in fire damage restoration with an understanding of business needs, we provide a restoration service that goes beyond cleaning. We help protect your business’s bottom line, reputation, and long-term success. Our approach ensures that your commercial property is restored efficiently, effectively, and with minimal disruption to your business activities.

How Can I Clean Up Fire Damage?

Fire can have extremely damaging effects on a building. However, many people are unaware of the other detrimental elements of a fire. The smell of smoke can overtake building materials and personal belongings, while soot residue can seriously stain painted walls that weren’t burned by flames. A house fire can be damaging to both your home and your family.

The professionals from Paul Davis understand any damage to your precious possessions can be disheartening. That’s why our fire restoration specialists are here to help you restore your damaged possessions.

Fire Damage Can Be Repaired

Your building can receive serious smoke damage without a major fire breaking out. Small-scale fires and closed fireplace flues can cause discoloration, smoke and soot damage, and strong odors if you don’t act quickly. Unless you address the problem immediately, smoke will seep into the walls, carpets, and upholstered and wood furniture. Here are a few quick smoke damage cleanup tips:

• Shut off your HVAC system to stop spreading smoke.
• To push out smokey air, move large fans towards open doors and windows.
• When vacuuming ash and soot, hold the nozzle right above the soot to suck it up. Pressing down on the soot could cause stains.
• Clean hard surfaces using rubber gloves.
• Use a dry sponge to wash walls and ceilings. Meanwhile, get rid of stains with a vinegar spray mixed with warm water.
• Clean any household item that has been affected, including light bulbs.
• Deep wash in cold water or dry clean any curtains or clothing that were affected.
• Deodorize carpets and window coverings. We suggest that you use odor counteractants.

Paul Davis’ Smoke Restoration Process

Does your building have smoke damage? Let the professionals take care of it. The technicians from Paul Davis provide a variety of fire damage restoration services. These include:

• 24/7 emergency services- onsite and assisting you within hours.
• Prompt fire and smoke damage assessment, pretesting and estimates.
• Emergency board-up and structural stabilization.
• Environmentally friendly methods for clearing soot and other residue from fire damage.
• Smoke odor removal, sanitation and air purification.
• Careful removal and securing of damaged household goods, personal possessions and other contents for cleaning and restoration.
• Industrial-grade water extractors, dehumidifiers, air movers and other equipment used to efficiently remove water from fire hoses and extinguishing efforts.
• Reconstruction of the affected areas.
• Disinfectants and antimicrobials used to prevent mold and mildew.

We’re With You Every Step Of The Way

Has your building recently undergone fire damage? At Paul Davis, we specialize in high-quality smoke remediation cleaning methods and using the proper equipment, meaning faster cleanup and cheaper smoke damage restoration expenses. Our smoke repair services will get your building back to normal sooner rather than later.

Reach out to the smoke repair services and smoke cleanup specialists from restoration industry leaders Paul Davis at 330-920-1936. You’ll get connected to the franchise closest to you.

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