Who Should I Call for Bathroom Exhaust Fan Fire Damage Mitigation in Setauket?

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

No matter if the fire is large or small, SERVPRO is always on call tor restore your home.

Choose an IICRC-Certified Restoration Firm for Fire Damage Cleanup in Your Setauket Home

Bathroom fire damage caused by exhaust fans may seem like a reasonably obscure claim compared to many other fire sources in the typical bathroom, but these types of fires can be among the most disastrous. Even with fast fire prevention tactics, most homeowners do not have the means to clean or repair their HVAC system. This type of work usually requires licensed professionals to minimize damage to your ventilation, your electrical components, and the structure of your home itself. 

When your Setauket home requires fire damage cleanup, you can count on the certified technicians at SERVPRO to get started on mitigation within hours of your call. SERVPRO’s mitigation process does not stop at cleaning the soot off of your bathroom surfaces. This team’s restore-first approach strives to save you time and money. 

These licensed pros offer the following services to Setauket residents: 

• Cleanup: After a disaster occurs, licensed technicians focus on restoring your residence to a clean and safe condition.
• Restoration: This process can include installing new tile, cleaning your HVAC system, repainting walls, and repairing nearby carpet that may have been affected by the fire.
• Rebuilding: If the structural damage in your home from the fire requires more work to restore, SERVPRO contractors can repair subflooring, install new wall joists, and hang the drywall. 

What Should I Look for When Detecting Bathroom Fan Fire Damage? 

• How old is the fan? If the fan has been there since before you moved into your home, it may be time to have a licensed electrician take a look at it. When your fan needs replacing, consider having a thermally-insulated exhaust fan installed in its place.
• What kind of noises does your fan make? A fan that makes lots of noise while it is rotating, for example, can indicate that the motor is on its last legs. If the fan blades stop turning altogether, the motor might overheat, which can ignite a fire in your bathroom.
• Can you see or smell any burnt or melted components? If you notice a mild burning smell or perhaps a distinct, ozone-like scent, it may be time to call your electrician to look for damage to nearby wires and wire nuts. 

SERVPRO technicians can aid Setauket residents in as little as four hours after their initial contact in the event of a disaster caused by a residential electrical fire. 

How Can I Prevent Bathroom Exhaust Fan Fire Damage?

Here are some tips to help minimize buildup and other fire risks that Setauket homeowners can affect their bathroom exhaust fans, potentially causing fire damage: 

• Keep the fan clean. You can remove dust with a wet cloth and then rinse it in warm soapy water after cleaning. You may also want to clean the faceplate covering the exhaust fan. Ensure that both the fan blades and the faceplate are clean and dry before reinstalling, or you may have some mold buildup on your hands later.
• Use canned air for spot cleaning. The exhaust fan does not need a thorough cleaning every single time. You can buy a can of compressed air to spray on the fan while it is running. Use this material for cleaning electrical equipment, so it is safe on your bathroom fan.
• Clear out surrounding ducts. Sometimes, exhaust fan fires are not caused by the fan failing, but instead, by buildup in the surrounding ductwork where vented air channels outward. If your bathroom uses flex ducts, you can maintain these vents with a flexible duct cleaning extension kit that you can find at most hardware stores. A licensed electrician can also perform this task.
• Install a timer. Another major cause of exhaust fan fires is motor failure after a protracted period of extensive use. A timer-based switch that automatically turns the fan off can lower the risk posed by an overworked fan motor.
• Swap your incandescent bulbs for LEDs. Consider switching out incandescent bulbs in your bathroom for low-heat, energy-saving solutions like LED light bulbs. The lower electrical load is easier on your electrical system overall. 

How Does SERVPRO Address Odors Caused By Fire Damage?

Deodorizing solutions may be needed to address the odors that come from an electrical fire. Burnt metal, drywall, and charred electrical components so close to your vent system can spread fire damage odors throughout your home. SERVPRO says Setauket homeowners with a variety of deodorizing solutions, including: 

• EPA registered antimicrobials
• Thermal and ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers
• Odor counteractant beads
• Trays of scented granules placed near air intakes
• HEPA filter air scrubbers 

These efforts, combined with high-powered ventilation box fans that exchange air 3000 to 5000 cubic feet per minute, significantly improve indoor air quality while removing odors from your home.

SERVPRO of Port Jefferson can provide cleanup services that leave your home looking, “Like it never even happened.” Call (631) 476-5300 to have a team at your home within hours of your initial contact. 

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