News

Duraclean answers the call from the “Big Easy”

In the Big Easy with President Bush

Duraclean’s “Rapid Response Network” recently won accolades from President George W. Bush and Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans for their structural drying expertise in the Katrina ravages city. The President and Mayor toured the Proctor and Gamble/Folgers facility and paused for a photo opportunity with Duraclean franchises from Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana and South Carolina.

Duraclean’s ability to respond quickly to service opportunities created by the force of this year’s and last year’s hurricanes has moved it to the forefront of disaster cleanup nationally. By creating a coalition of trained and equipped franchises that will operate under one project manager Duraclean has established itself as a major player in the “Large Loss” field.

All responders are trained in mold remediation and water restoration and having knowledge of working in confined spaces and personal protective clothing. A specific Project Manager is assigned to every large loss and is responsible for coordinating all facets of the job. In addition to the Project Manager an Executive Administrator becomes the communication and documentation hub for all activities. By establishing clear lines of responsibility and communication a large complex problem is solved in the fastest and the most cost efficient manner.

Duraclean’s ability to respond is activated through one central phone number: 1-800-TO-CLEAN-UP which is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Information received from the initial phone call immediately sets in motion the number of people, amount of supplies and the type and quantity of equipment necessary for a rapid initial response. One phone call for all your restoration and remediation needs. Call Duraclean at 1-800-826-5326 and leave the CLEAN-UP to us.

Five Factors Which Influence Smoke

There are five factors which influence smoke and can affect the related surfaces:

  1. Heat-Warm or heated air rises and migrates to cold areas such as outside walls and closets. Heat causes pores in surfaces to expand which then readily accepts the smoke residue and odor.
  2. Pressure-The energy created by the fire produces heat which enables the smoke to penetrate into the most minute cracks and crevices.
  3. Impingement-Burned objects can hit another surface with sufficient velocity so it will impinge (or splatter) and remain on the surface. Think of candle wax.
  4. Magnetism-Smoke is attracted to metal surfaces including plumbing pipes, nail heads and metal coat hangers.
  5. Ionization-Opposites attract so smoke webs may form on structural surfaces. Plastic bags on clothing from dry cleaners retain electrical charges which attract smoke. More smoke residue can be found on clothing inside plastic bags in the closet as opposed to unprotected clothing!!!

For expert damage restoration, call Duraclean at (803) 723-2000

Three Categories of Smoke Residue and Odors

Smoke odors can normally be classified into three categories. These categories also need customized deodorization to restore them: Protein odors-These are produced from burned meat, flesh and poultry. This residue is identifiable by a brown or yellowish color and has a greasy texture. Odor removal and deodorization usually entails a complete cleaning of the affected surfaces. Natural Substance Odors-Natural burned materials usually include paper, wood, jute, cork, feathers and wool and anything that has a plant or animal hair source. Identification is made through a gray/black residue that has a dry, powdery consistency. Synthetic Odor Substances-Synthetic (man-made) burned substances encompass burned plastics and textiles. Residues from these substances are black in color and smudge easily since they come from petroleum-based sources. Burned synthetic residue can create smoke webs visible where walls and corners meet the ceiling and where streamers handing from curtain rods. These smoke webs are called smoke tags. NOTE: Soot tags are often misidentified as “spider webs” which supposedly become visible because of the smoke/soot residue.

“Smoke” Defined

Smoke/soot is the product of incomplete combustion. It is made visible through the present of small particles of carbon. The fire that causes smoke and soot is non-discriminatory in that it will burn anything that can be burned. Besides the residue that is created through a fire, when there is a structure that has a variety of different flammable materials such as particle board, wood, plastic, laminate, vinyl, etc., the products of these substances can produce very complex odors.

How specifically is drying accomplished?

There is a lot more to drying a water damaged structure and its contents than just extracting it with a wet vacuum type unit. Future Duraclean Restoration News bulletins will explain exactly what equipment and solutions are used and how their employment maximizes drying results to prevent secondary damage and related health problems. For expert water damage restoration, 24 hours a day, call Duraclean at 803.732.2000.

Links to Facebook, Flickr, Youtube, LinkedIn Profiles