Smoke and Fire Damage in Your Chicago Condo

1/31/2020 (Permalink)

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

Getting Rid of Smoke and Fire Damage in Your Chicago Condo

Living in a condominium and having a small grease fire break out in your kitchen does not just impact your living space, but potentially those around you. The smell of smoke can easily penetrate through walls, making your neighbors less than thrilled by the unpleasant smell wafting into their homes.

If you have fire damage in your Chicago condo, it is essential to tackle the permeating smoke odor right away so that it does not linger and create longer-lasting damage. There is no one size fits all approach to removing odors after a fire. Typically, several different types of equipment and products work together to resolve the situation.

One way to attack the odor is through the use of a photocatalytic oxidizer that uses ultraviolet (UV) rays to shine on titanium dioxide producing hydroxyl radicals that immediately oxidize to break down bad odors into harmless carbon dioxide and water. Another standard piece of equipment is an Ozone Generator. This portable machine irradiates odors by generating an unstable gas of oxygen molecules (ozone) and, in turn, reacts with odor-causing molecules. It works to oxidize residues and remove the strong odor of smoke.

SERVPRO technicians may also opt to use an air scrubber to remove airborne particles, odors, and gases from the air. Air scrubbers pull dirty air through filters, then exhaust the clean filtrated air back into the room. Commonly, technicians use HEPA filters, which catches tiny particles as small as 0.3 microns and activated carbon and potassium permanganate filters to remove a range of gases and malodors by attracting those molecules and moving them through the filters. It is also vital to use ventilation equipment to create airflow, in turn removing odors and fumes.

These machines help in communal living situations since they are portable, and SERVPRO technicians can set them up in a neighboring condo if needed. The project manager may also choose to use other ways to eradicate bad odors such as thermal fogging, and removal of contents to clean offsite. Not every machine or deodorizing product is always necessary to restore your home to its preloss condition.

For 24/7 assistance, contact SERVPRO of Hyde Park / E. Bridgeport / Bronzeville at (312) 509-5000. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

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