California Residents Learn the Perils of Smoke Damage Following Building Fires

In March, The San Diego Union-Tribune published a report about two residential property fires that occurred on the same street in Escondido over just a few days. The fires are believed to have resulted in approximately $125,000 in property damage to the two properties, but neighbors should also be on the lookout for potential smoke damage in their homes.

Fires in homes and businesses can not only impact the building that is on fire, they can also cause property damage to neighboring properties not directly touched by flames. This is due to the fact that many building fires produce a tremendous amount of smoke that can be carried into neighboring properties or other units in multi-tenant buildings.

“Smoke is made up of a number of combustion by-products that may include ash, soot, char and other materials,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility. “Smoke that infiltrates a building can leave behind odors and residues which can cause corrosion, etching and discoloration within the property. These conditions can get worse over time and will also often lower a property’s value if they are not properly addressed.”

Homeowners with property insurance may have coverage for smoke damage, but it is often left to the property owner to provide proof of damages. Although the presence of visible damage can be obvious at times, subtle or hidden smoke damage frequently requires testing to provide proof of residues, odors and other damage that is not readily apparent. 

LA Testing offers analytical services and sampling supplies to identify odors and smoke residues. They also provide consumer test kits to help identify smoke damage, mold, lead, asbestos and other contaminants often associated with fire damage and suppression efforts. In addition, LA Testing recently sponsored an educational video about smoke damage that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/1Ei8z-uJTn0.

To learn more about testing a property for smoke and water damage, mold, asbestos, lead or other indoor air quality and environmental issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access and more information about the fire and smoke damage test kit, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.  

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, NVLAP, CDC ELITE, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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