Effective containment is a critical first step before any structure restoration can take place. The specific problem must be determined and measures taken for containment to prevent damage from spreading to other areas. Depending on the type of disaster that’s befallen a home or business, restoration professionals can encounter a number of toxins and pathogens.

Restoration experts can encounter pathogens that include mold, bacteria, asbestos and lead. The particles are very small, easily moved around by even the smallest of air currents, and can spread to contaminate other areas. There are specific protocols for effective containment depending on the type of contaminants that are present. Effective containment includes identifying the exact source of the contamination and eliminating it.

Containment shortens the restoration time and reduces the amount of damage to homes and businesses. It also provides a cleaner and healthier environment for restoration workers, families and employees. Containment reduces liability for the property owner, aids in maintaining property value, and provides documentation for insurance companies.

Just because property owners can’t see the damage doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. There are a variety of specialized tools, techniques and methods that restoration professionals can use to contain contaminates, remove them safety, and dispose of them in a prescribed manner. It’s an essential protocol that restoration specialists follow to prevent exposure to potentially dangerous toxins.

Restoration experts are specially trained in containment and removal protocols that adhere to state and federal regulations. It’s one of the many reasons why the services of a restoration company are important. Building contractors aren’t trained in contaminant identification, containment and eradication.

Without containment measures after a fire, flood or other disaster, contaminants will spread throughout a structure and stay there indefinitely. Smoke from fires spread soot that contain carcinogens, while water damage often leads to mold growth that’s especially detrimental to those with respiratory problems.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida Rapid Restoration is South Florida’s #1 restoration company in the disaster relief industry. With 24/7 emergency services we have provided thousands of clients with emergency restoration services throughout Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Miami Dade, Broward,  and Port St. Lucie Counties. We offer property restoration, mediation and, repair for water damage, mold removal, fire, smoke and biohazard removal services throughout the entire South Florida area.

We are a Licensed Commercial and Residential Emergency Restoration Contractor.

Whether it’s your home or office that’s been affected by water damage, fire, smoke damage, or mold, contact Rapid Restoration Recovery, Inc.

TODAY at: 561-344-5070

Anyone that’s experienced a home or business fire knows the odor attached and the black soot that covers everything. What most people don’t know is that the soot and ash from a fire is highly toxic and contains cancer-causing carcinogens. However, the soot and ash from forest fires can also adversely affect homes and businesses.

Building Materials

Homes and businesses contain a variety of building materials and they aren’t completely incinerated during a fire. Fire generates smoke from burning materials that carry microscopic particles called soot. It’s disseminated throughout the structure and soot particles blanket everything as they’re carried by air currents. The toxic particles invade even the smallest of spaces.

Without appropriate remediation and removal, the particles remain in a structure where they continue to emit the smell of smoke and present a health danger. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, if soot is allowed to remain in structures, it can result in cancer, cardiovascular dysfunction, and respiratory disease. The soot introduces free radicals into the body causing oxidative stress that damages DNA.

Wildfires

People have been cooking food and warming themselves over open fires for centuries without apparent harm. Individuals have been evading forest fires for an equal amount of time. The difference between then and now are the chemical compounds that are released. Most modern chemicals are retained on a tree’s surface and washed to the forest floor when it rains.

Trees aren’t completely consumed in a forest fire. Smoke and soot are spread far and wide. The forest floor where chemicals have been washed are also burned during a forest fire, contributing to the dissemination of particles that contain chemicals. Those particles penetrate homes and businesses as easily as those released during a structure fire.

Walking through the ash generated by a forest fire allows particles to adhere to shoes and clothing where they’re spread to other locations. It also disturbs the ash where it’s often inhaled.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida Rapid Restoration is South Florida’s #1 restoration company in the disaster relief industry. With 24/7 emergency services we have provided thousands of clients with emergency restoration services throughout Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Miami Dade, Broward,  and Port St. Lucie Counties. We offer property restoration, mediation and, repair for water damage, mold removal, fire, smoke and biohazard removal services throughout the entire South Florida area.

We are a Licensed Commercial and Residential Emergency Restoration Contractor.

Whether it’s your home or office that’s been affected by water damage, fire, smoke damage, or mold, contact Rapid Restoration Recovery, Inc.

TODAY at: 561-344-5070

A home fire is something that no one wants to experience. Structural fires are traumatic events that cause injuries and deaths to residents and rescue personnel. There are warning signs that a home may be at increased risk of a fire, but many don’t know what they are or don’t heed them.

Tripping Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers are an early warning system. Their job is to cut the flow of electricity to prevent circuits from being overwhelmed and overheating. Circuit breakers that keep tripping are an indication that there’s a problem. It may be that electrical appliances are pulling too much power on a particular circuit and causing an overload. It could also be a short circuit in the appliance or the wiring that requires repair by an electrician.

While it’s rare, circuit breakers can go bad and need to be replaced. Simply resetting a circuit breaker that trips isn’t a solution. The circuit breaker becomes weak and can fail to severe the flow of electricity, thereby allowing circuits to overheat and cause a fire. Keep the use of extension cords to a minimum and only use them for short periods of time.

Outdated Wiring

Many older homes have wiring that’s no longer code-compliant and has never been updated. Older wiring isn’t able to handle the amperage of modern appliances and the many power requirements of today’s society. As more demands are placed upon the wiring, it overheats and a fire can be sparked in surrounding building materials.

Burning Odor and Buzzing

A burning smell with no discernable source can be the result of faulty wiring or a short circuit. Individuals may observe dimming or flickering of lights. Electricity creates a buzzing sound when it’s not flowing properly. Don’t use buzzing outlets or switches and call an electrician.

Discoloration and Charring

Individuals may notice that outlets and/or switches in their home have become discolored or charred. They may also be warm or hot to the touch. It’s a symptom of electricity that’s sparking or arcing. It’s an electrical discharge that occurs when circuits are overloaded and overheat.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida Rapid Restoration is South Florida’s #1 restoration company in the disaster relief industry. With 24/7 emergency services we have provided thousands of clients with emergency restoration services throughout Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Miami Dade, Broward,  and Port St. Lucie Counties. We offer property restoration, mediation and, repair for water damage, mold removal, fire, smoke and biohazard removal services throughout the entire South Florida area.

We are a Licensed Commercial and Residential Emergency Restoration Contractor.

Whether it’s your home or office that’s been affected by water damage, fire, smoke damage, or mold, contact Rapid Restoration Recovery, Inc.

TODAY at: 561-344-5070

Few people know that odors from a fire can be safely eliminated from a variety of personal possessions ranging from drapes and area rugs to furniture, clothing and electronics. Yes, odors can be removed from furniture, but there are some limitations. Not every item can be salvaged.

A fire generates smoke that contains microscopic pieces of unburned material. Those particles, known as soot, are disseminated into the air during a fire and can be blown about by the lightest of breezes. The particles find their way into the smallest of cracks and crevices, including fabric and upholstered items. The soot is what causes the odor of smoke.

Restoration companies use an ozone treatment to remove soot, which eliminates the odor. During a treatment, a molecule is generated that reacts chemically with the molecules in soot and neutralizes them. An ozone treatment is cleaner than other types of methods and doesn’t leave residue or byproducts that have to be cleaned again afterward.

Ozone is a gas and can penetrate anywhere that air can flow. It’s the most effective way of ridding belongings and homes of smoke odors. It’s imperative that professionals perform the treatment. They have the training to precisely control the humidity, temperature and time of the treatment. Restoration experts know what materials can be treated. Leather, rubber, and some types of textiles and plastics don’t respond well when exposed to an ozone treatment.

Simply cleaning the wooden portions of furniture won’t eliminate the odor. The soot particles will still be embedded in the upholstery. An ozone treatment neutralizes the soot molecules. Items that have undergone an ozone treatment are clean, deodorized and safe to be reinstalled in the home.

Insurance companies like to work with restoration professionals. Every item that can be reclaimed is less money the insurer has to expend. It’s also beneficial for clients. It enables them to retain treasured pieces of furniture and antiques that might otherwise be lost forever.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida Rapid Restoration is South Florida’s #1 restoration company in the disaster relief industry. With 24/7 emergency services we have provided thousands of clients with emergency restoration services throughout Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Miami Dade, Broward,  and Port St. Lucie Counties. We offer property restoration, mediation and, repair for water damage, mold removal, fire, smoke and biohazard removal services throughout the entire South Florida area.

We are a Licensed Commercial and Residential Emergency Restoration Contractor.

Whether it’s your home or office that’s been affected by water damage, fire, smoke damage, or mold, contact Rapid Restoration Recovery, Inc.

TODAY at: 561-344-5070

Modern technologies enable a remediation company to salvage a great many items following a fire, but carpeting typically isn’t one of them. It’s not just a matter of removing the water. Carpets that have been exposed to fire are contaminated by smoke, soot, and mold is a very real concern.

Remediation companies can remove soot, water and mold, but the problem after a fire goes deeper. Water from extinguishing the fire will soak through the carpeting and into the flooring below, which necessitate removal of the carpeting, floor boards and affected wallboard.

The tiny particles of unburned materials in smoke, known as soot, permeate even the smallest of cracks and crevices and contaminate carpets. There’s a good chance that area rugs may be saved after a fire, but not carpeting.

The odor of smoke can remain in homes and carpets for months, even after multiple cleanings, unless it’s properly remediated. Soot is a dangerous carcinogen that can aggravate allergies, exacerbate lung conditions, and cause long-term illnesses.

Adding to the problem is the potential for mold growth. The fungi occur naturally in the environment and causes little problem unless it finds a foothold in a home. The conditions after a fire provide an ideal breeding ground for mold. The fungi can begin growing and multiplying in as little as 12 hours. It sinks roots into any porous surface, including wood, wallboard and fabrics.

While homeowners will need to write off their carpets as a total loss, the services of a remediation company aren’t limited to water extraction, smoke removal and mold elimination. Immediately after the fire, a restoration company will secure the site to prevent entry by intruders or looters.

The highly trained professionals have industrial level equipment and solutions for every phase of the cleanup process. The companies can also provide rebuilding services to restore the premises and works directly with a homeowner’s insurer.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida Rapid Restoration is South Florida’s #1 restoration company in the disaster relief industry. With 24/7 emergency services we have provided thousands of clients with emergency restoration services throughout Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Miami Dade, Broward,  and Port St. Lucie Counties. We offer property restoration, mediation and, repair for water damage, mold removal, fire, smoke and biohazard removal services throughout the entire South Florida area.

We are a Licensed Commercial and Residential Emergency Restoration Contractor.

Whether it’s your home or office that’s been affected by water damage, fire, smoke damage, or mold, contact Rapid Restoration Recovery, Inc.

TODAY at: 561-344-5070

Fires leave a pungent odor and the smell will linger for months if not dealt with quickly and decisively. It doesn’t matter if the fire is large or small, the stench will remain. To fully appreciate the services of a restoration and remediation company, it’s important to understand the processes that take place during a fire.

Burning building materials don’t burn up completely. A fire emits smoke that carries soot. The soot is the unburned, miniscule particles too small to see with the naked eye, unless there’s a build-up. Soot is lightweight and easily dispersed throughout the home. It can infiltrate the smallest of cracks and crevices, bringing with it the unpleasant fire odor.

Soot contains toxic chemicals and carcinogens known to cause cancer. Some of those substances are arsenic, chromium and cadmium. Breathing in soot lodges those particulates into the lungs and they will be dispersed throughout the body. Soot has been linked to short and long-term effects that include respiratory illness, heart attacks and premature death.

Remediation and restoration professionals have the tools and expertise to remove odors from a wide variety of items. The company will have an on-site adjuster that will work directly with a client’s insurance company to make repairs and restore any salvageable items. The experts will inventory and pack any items that can be saved and transport them to where they’ll undergo an ozone treatment. Items will be cleaned, even electronics, to leave them smelling clean and looking great.

The company will ensure that soot is removed from the home and that floors and other affected materials are restored – or removed and replaced. All contents will be cleaned and even ductwork will be addressed. Restoration will take a little time and the company will even store belongings until it’s time to move them back into the restored home that’s free of soot and smells.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida Rapid Restoration is South Florida’s #1 restoration company in the disaster relief industry. With 24/7 emergency services we have provided thousands of clients with emergency restoration services throughout Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Miami Dade, Broward,  and Port St. Lucie Counties. We offer property restoration, mediation and, repair for water damage, mold removal, fire, smoke and biohazard removal services throughout the entire South Florida area.

We are a Licensed Commercial and Residential Emergency Restoration Contractor.

Whether it’s your home or office that’s been affected by water damage, fire, smoke damage, or mold, contact Rapid Restoration Recovery, Inc.

TODAY at: 561-344-5070

Your home represents a considerable investment and it’s one of your most valuable assets – it just makes good sense to take measures to protect your property from fire. The leading causes of house fires that ignite from indoor threats are cooking equipment, heating systems, faulty wiring, lighting, blocked vents, and curious kids.

Fire Protection

Today’s homeowners also have to worry about outside elements that can damage or completely destroy homes that including wildfires. The following are some easy and inexpensive ways to protect your home against a fire. Some can even result in savings on your house insurance.

Smoke Alarm

One of the most effective and inexpensive methods of fire protection are smoke alarms. They’re an early warning system that can save lives. Placement will depend on the layout of the home. It’s best to have them professionally installed and maintained for optimal performance.

Fire Extinguishers

The devices are essential for putting out small fires before they become major conflagrations. They limit damage and an extra benefit is that they reduce the amount of pollution emitted by smoke when materials are burned. Check them regularly to ensure they haven’t expired.

Exit Lighting

A fire produces smoke and soot that decreases visibility. When combined with the panic that accompanies a fire, it’s easy to see why exit lighting is critical. It provides you and your family with highly visible illumination that directs them to exits, allowing them to escape. The lighting also helps people avoid injuries from stumbling over furniture and other obstacles while evacuating.

Cooking

A majority of house fires begin in the kitchen. Never leave cooking or baking endeavors unattended and that includes outdoor kitchens or grills. Keep flammable items as far from cooking as possible.

Heating Sources

Portable heaters are also a major cause of fires, along with outdoor heaters, fireplaces and bonfires. Never leave heaters or open flames unattended and keep the heat source away from flammable objects. It’s also a good idea to keep firewood at least 30 feet away from your home and clear vegetation from around the perimeter of the home that could fuel a fire.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida Rapid Restoration is South Florida’s #1 restoration company in the disaster relief industry. With 24/7 emergency services we have provided thousands of clients with emergency restoration services throughout Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Miami Dade, Broward,  and Port St. Lucie Counties. We offer property restoration, mediation and, repair for water damage, mold removal, fire, smoke and biohazard removal services throughout the entire South Florida area.

We are a Licensed Commercial and Residential Emergency Restoration Contractor.

Whether it’s your home or office that’s been affected by water damage, fire, smoke damage, or mold, contact Rapid Restoration Recovery, Inc.

TODAY at: 561-344-5070

The pain of reconstruction after a large, catastrophic fire isn’t easy; but, thankfully, fire damage restoration companies are prepared to help in the reconstruction process. With a trained, experienced team, much of what used to be lost can be brought back into life. When fire damage happens, it happens fast. It can spread in a variety of ways and create many different problems, from structural to aesthetic. In order to prevent future loss, and help return something to its original function and aesthetic appearance, the fire restoration process needs to be swift and thorough. That means getting all the right professionals on board.

Clean up

The first step to restoring any property damaged by fire is clean-up. Professional fire damage companies know how to properly remove the mess from your home. They will have special equipment to help get rid of black smoke and will have fire safety precautions in place to limit smoke damage to carpets, wood, or insulation. After the fire is over, they will need to evaluate the structural integrity of your building. In many cases, that means they will need to re-dry carpeting and remove mildew. Any insulation will have to be stripped down and inspected for damage.

Odor Removal

For smoke odor and black soot removal, fire restoration companies use special firefighting products to kill the bacteria and chemicals in smoke. This includes an extinguisher, which is either pumped in or placed inside the building. Deodorant is another important element for fire damage cleaning. Professional companies have powerful deodorizers with low concentrations of toxic chemicals that will neutralize odors. If you have smoke odor and black soot removal needs, contact a cleaning and restoration professional as soon as possible.

A final step in smoke restoration involves using warm water and mild soap or detergent to clean affected areas. This cleans the area and prevents dry heat and cracked paint from occurring after soot removal. Once the area is properly cleaned and dried, it is then treated with a fire retardant. This is to further prevent moisture from the surrounding air from reaching the affected areas and re-contaminating them. If you are unsure whether or not your home needs such treatment, consult your local fire department.

If smoke damage occurs in a home or other structure, contact a professional restoration service immediately for rapid and effective help. If smoke or soot damage is allowed to continue unchecked, it can cause serious structural problems that can ultimately lead to serious health problems, as well as premature death.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida Rapid Restoration is South Florida’s #1 restoration company in the disaster relief industry. With 24/7 emergency services we have provided thousands of clients with emergency restoration services throughout Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Miami Dade, Broward,  and Port St. Lucie Counties. We offer property restoration, mediation and, repair for water damage, mold removal, fire, smoke and biohazard removal services throughout the entire South Florida area.

We are a Licensed Commercial and Residential Emergency Restoration Contractor.

Whether it’s your home or office that’s been affected by water damage, fire, smoke damage, or mold, contact Rapid Restoration Recovery, Inc.

TODAY at: 561-344-5070

Once the flames have been extinguished and your home is boarded up to prevent unauthorized entry, the first question you may have is “How soon can I return to my home?” That will largely depend on the extent of the damage. That’s where the services of a professional, 24/7 restoration and remediation service is invaluable.

They have on-site insurance adjusters and even work with your insurance company. A restoration company takes care of all the tedious details associated with restoring a residence to its pre-fire condition, enabling you to get back in your home as quickly as possible. They have a variety of effective methods to remove smoke residue, commonly known as soot, and salvage a wide variety of your possessions.

The materials used in construction releases chemicals and particles into the air when they’re burned. Those particles are deposited throughout the dwelling. Smoke penetrates behind walls and permeates the entire structure. Compounding the problem is the water used to quench the blaze that aid in the growth of mold and mildew.

A professional remediation service will provide you with an itemized list of items that can be treated to remove smoke and water damage, remove odors and any trace of mold. Even electronics can be salvaged. Your possessions will be packed up, transported, treated, and stored until the complete restoration of your home is completed.

A fire is a highly traumatic event. You and your family may be in shock and not thinking clearly following a fire. A restoration team takes care of all the immediate details, such as boarding up the residence, that can save you from a liability issue should unauthorized individuals enter and injure themselves.

Remediation companies work with a variety of industry professionals that are specialists in their field. They work quickly and efficiently to remove debris and provide construction services so you and your family can get back in your home with alacrity.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida Rapid Restoration is South Florida’s #1 restoration company in the disaster relief industry. With 24/7 emergency services we have provided thousands of clients with emergency restoration services throughout Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Miami Dade, Broward,  and Port St. Lucie Counties. We offer property restoration, mediation and, repair for water damage, mold removal, fire, smoke and biohazard removal services throughout the entire South Florida area.

We are a Licensed Commercial and Residential Emergency Restoration Contractor.

Whether it’s your home or office that’s been affected by water damage, fire, smoke damage, or mold, contact Rapid Restoration Recovery, Inc.

TODAY at: 561-344-5070

Anyone that’s experienced a fire is familiar with the smoky smell and sooty deposits that permeate everything. No part of a home or business will be unaffected by smoke damage. The odor and soot will reach into the far reaches of the structure. Smoke damage isn’t limited to a fire within a structure. The smoke from nearby wildfires has the ability to render buildings uninhabited and unusable.

Smoke from a fire wafts through the air and is much more insidious than it seems. The smoke from a fire is comprised of minuscule particles that are the byproducts of burning materials, also known as soot. It has the ability to eat through materials like acid.

The chemical components contained in smoke will vary, depending on the materials that were burned. Some of the most common are carbon monoxide, ammonia, formaldehyde, hydrogen, and sulfur dioxide. They’re all dangerous and can make you sick, long after the fire is extinguished. Smoke is comprised of very tiny solid particles, but it moves through the air like a gas.

After a fire, some furnishings may appear untouched, but they’ll contain those dangerous chemical particles. The particles can embed themselves in your clothing and bedding, upholstery, carpeting, drapes, in any porous material such as wood, and even behind walls. That’s why your home or business will have a lingering smell of smoke, which will also affect your air quality.

Smoke can also seep into medications, cosmetics and other personal hygiene products, along with food products, even if they’re new and unopened. Glass, metal and ceramic are non-porous substances and anything encased in those materials will typically remain useable.

A restoration and recovery company has advanced technology available to salvage and restore many of the items damaged by smoke, including furniture and electronics, when attended to quickly. The professionals will provide an inventory, pack the items, transport them for treatment, and store them until they can be returned to your premises.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida Rapid Restoration is South Florida’s #1 restoration company in the disaster relief industry. With 24/7 emergency services we have provided thousands of clients with emergency restoration services throughout Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Miami Dade, Broward,  and Port St. Lucie Counties. We offer property restoration, mediation and, repair for water damage, mold removal, fire, smoke and biohazard removal services throughout the entire South Florida area.

We are a Licensed Commercial and Residential Emergency Restoration Contractor.

Whether it’s your home or office that’s been affected by water damage, fire, smoke damage, or mold, contact Rapid Restoration Recovery, Inc.

TODAY at: 561-344-5070