California Wildfires Result in Destroyed & Smoke Damaged Properties

Last month, wildfires raged across many parts of California.  In San Diego alone, tens of thousands of acres burned and over 40 homes were directly destroyed by flames.  According to CAL FIRE, from the first of the year through May 17th, California has already experienced over 1,500 fires as compared to 1,260 during the same period in 2013.  The 5-year average for the same period is 831.  As California continues to suffer from a historic drought, the threat of more wildfires will not likely diminish anytime soon.

These fires can directly damage homes and businesses, create air pollution concerns and cause more subtle damage to homes and buildings due to smoke infiltration.  Wildfires produce an enormous amount of smoke that can be carried long distances in the wind.  This smoke is filled with combustion by-products that include soot, ash and char that can have damaging effects to both properties and to humans breathing the smoke-filled air.

For property owners who have homes and businesses that have suffered smoke damage, oftentimes it is up to them to show evidence of smoke residues to get support from their property insurance providers. “LA Testing’s network of laboratories provide smoke damage and soot testing services to help in these situations,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility. “Surface and air testing can provide proof of smoke damage that can then be used to help remediate the property back to the condition it was in before the smoke created the damage,” he continued.

LA Testing recently produced an online video about smoke damage that can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owo8lIoVTuk.

To learn more about testing for smoke damage, char, carbon black, soot and other indoor air quality (IAQ) and environmental issues, please visit www.SmokeDamageTestingLab.com or www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 
 
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor 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, 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, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) (856) 303-2503

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