Utah Flood Cleanup Blog

Avoid Air Conditioning Fires This Summer

AC-UnitIt’s summer again, which means more stress on your air conditioner than any other time during the year. This is the season that many home owners wish they kept up with regular HVAC maintenance as malfunctions can cause their cooling systems to fail. What’s worse is that, in some cases, air conditioning units are prone to catastrophic failure, even to the point of causing a fire. The experts at Utah Flood Cleanup are trained in smoke and fire cleanup, and we know how devastating an air conditioner fire can be.

Air Conditioning Risk Factors

In the heat of summer, air conditioners suffer heavy use and are pushed to their limit. On warmer days, the unit may run for the entire day, rarely catching a break. Outdoor units as well as in-window units are essentially boxes of friction and electricity, and therefore serious fires do happen from time to time.

There are a few things to consider in determining whether your home and family are at risk of an air-conditioner fire.

  • Is your unit installed properly?

HVAC specialists do not come cheap, and there’s a reason for that. Your air conditioner is what protects your family from the heat of summer. Since it endures heavy use in the summer months, it is important that the unit be installed properly.

Approximately one third of all AC fires are caused not by the unit itself, but by the electrical wires and cables. Wiring installation is extremely delicate and, if not done by a trained and licensed specialist, you run a higher risk of a fire. Electrical work should never be attempted by an amateur.

  • Is your air conditioner being maintained regularly?

While air conditioners do generate cool air, the unit itself also generates heat. When the two mix, condensation occurs. There are many recorded cases of condensation buildup puddling around electrical wires or short-circuiting the unit itself. Water and electricity are a recipe for an AC fire. Regular visits from HVAC specialists can check for these kinds of problems, thereby eliminating a major cause of AC fires.

Reduce the Risk of AC Unit Fires

There are a few things that you can do as a homeowner to ensure your risk of fire is as low as possible, and you don’t need to be a trained HVAC specialist to do these simple checks.

  • Check for dripping water

As mentioned earlier, AC units are prone to dripping and water accumulation. Besides being a hotbed for bacteria and bugs, dripping water can penetrate your other electrical appliances to cause short circuits and potentially create a fire hazard.

  • Check for exposed wires

Since a third of all AC fires are caused by wiring, it’s a good idea to check wires regularly to ensure they are properly insulated. This is a simple check that is more relevant if you are using an older unit.

  • Use your nose

Friction fires caused by the rotation of the unit’s internal fan will create a strong, metallic odor before they ignite. Poor lubrication and tight or worn motor bearings are usually the culprit, especially in an older or overworked unit. If your air conditioner is experiencing excessive friction, contact a specialist right away.

Contact Utah Flood Cleanup for Your Fire Remediation Needs

If your home has been damaged by an AC unit fire, Utah Flood Cleanup can help restore it back to its original condition. We are experts at disaster cleanup and all of our work comes with a five-year guarantee. For the best disaster cleanup in Utah, call 801-876-5225 or contact us here to set up your appointment today.

Download a PDF Version of This Page Here

The Do's & Dont's of Fire Damage

If your home has been damaged by fire, it is important that you know the right steps to take and which ones to avoid. Taking the correct steps following fire damage to your home, including hiring a fire restoration company, can help prevent more long-term and costly damage to your property. Make sure to contact us as soon as possible if your home has suffered damage from a fire, flood, mold or any other disaster. We are available to assist you 24/7.

Fire Damage Do’s

  • Safety is the top priority: Never enter your home until you have been given permission by fire safety authorities. Once you have been given permission, always take the appropriate safety measures, which include wearing gloves and respiratory protection. As the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) explains, soot residue from fires can lead to respiratory problems and other serious medical issues.
  • Keep movements in your home to a minimum: This is for safety reasons and to prevent airborne soot particles from getting into upholstery and carpets. Always wear a respirator if you have to be inside your home.
  • Open windows and put in fans. For ventilation, open the windows and put in box fans. This will help push out contaminated air and dust, while limiting more extensive smoke damage and the risk of injury.
  • Vacuum loose soot from upholstery and carpets with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filter. High efficiency vacuums with effective filtration systems work to stop soot from being pushed back into cleaned spaces. Make sure to change the filter on a frequent basis.
  • Bedding, clothing and other materials should be washed or laundered. An alkaline cleaner can be used on washable materials; it works by neutralizing the acid in the soot. Finer materials should be sent to a professional dry-cleaner who has restoration cleaning experience with smoke-damaged clothing. Make sure the dry-cleaner cleaner knows the proper methods for removing soot and smoke odor and has the required equipment.

Fire Damage Dont's

  • Don't use electrical appliances, including TVs, stereos and ceiling fans until they have been properly cleaned and checked.
  • Don’t eat canned goods or packaged foods. These items may have become contaminated, due to intense heat, smoke and soot exposure.
  • Don't toss out damaged goods immediately. Make sure to take a full inventory first that includes all items before discarding anything.
  • Don't wash surfaces, including walls and ceilings, before first getting advice from a professional, who knows the proper methods for removing soot.
  • Don't send smoke-damaged articles to a regular dry-cleaner. The wrong cleaning methods on smoke-damaged clothing can worsen the smoke odor and make it more permanent.
  • Don't wait to hire a fire restoration company. The longer you put off the cleaning and restoration process, the higher the costs and extent of damage to your home and property.

Fire Damage Restoration from Utah Flood Cleanup

In addition to providing fire damage restoration services, Utah Flood Cleanup offers water damage repair and mold remediation services. We are an experienced damage restoration company and our restoration experts are certified by the IICRC. We will carry out a comprehensive damage restoration program that allows you to return safely to your property. Our solutions include emergency board up, cleaning for carpets and upholsterysewage cleanup, air duct cleaning and more.

For reliable and efficient cleanup and restoration assistance, contact Utah Flood Cleanup. Call us at 801-416-2666 for a free phone consultation. We offer emergency assistance 24/7. We also offer a free inspection on water damage covered by insurance, affordable financing options and a 2-Year Guarantee on our work. Since 1992, we have been serving Ogden, Utah, and the surrounding areas.

Download a PDF of these Do's & Dont's Here

24/7 Flood Cleanup & Disaster Restoration Service
We Accept all types of Insurance
I was corrected and they are still in business. Talked to Daryl and he’s a great guy. Would definitely send work his way if I ever need it.
Robert Mixon
Robert Mixon
22:36 07 Mar 23
We had a leak in our roof while we were out of town. Daryl was so helpful and responded quickly so we were able to get our wood floor dried out to avoid damage to the floor. He was very professional and knew exactly what needed to be done.
Gary Hatch
Gary Hatch
22:52 07 Jun 22
I contact Daryl about wanting to have a mold inspection done in my crawl space. He was incredibly nice and immediately booked at time with me. When he arrived at the house, he carefully did his work, showed me the results of the tests. Thankfully there was no mold. But, even better, he took the time to show me and explain a few areas of concern for the future. Really incredible service. I wish everyone was so professional. I couldn't recommend someone more highly. 5 star!
rhayesparton
rhayesparton
23:22 13 May 22
Daryl with Utah Flood Clean Up, came to inspect a previous roof leak that had left some moisture in our walls. He was very honest about his findings and detailed with the information for removing it! I am a General Contractor and I won’t use anyone else!
Garry Naccarato
Garry Naccarato
14:11 23 Apr 22
My experience with this company is that they are honest and great to work with. Very refreshing to have someone you can trust.
Trevor Heaton
Trevor Heaton
19:44 06 May 20
Called for some detailed information about mold/removal. Daryl was busy, but called back just a few minutes later and spent time answering ALL my questions. He was very knowledgable and patient. Thank you Daryl.
Diane G
Diane G
18:00 17 Apr 20
Sadly, I've had to use Utah Flood Cleanup 4 times in the last year! I really appreciate how quickly they responded to each casualty. They were there right away! Daryl, the owner, gave me a price that was half of the other quote I got, and his men are professionals... not kids who don't have a clue. Plus, he included more "fixes" in his quote for less money. He is very knowledgeable and I felt very confident in his recommendations. He also worked directly with our insurance adjuster so that I didn't have to! I highly recommend this company.
Ashton Carrington
Ashton Carrington
16:09 16 Apr 20
I called Utah Flood Cleanup when I had a leak in the kitchen that drained down into the basement. Daryl came out shortly after speaking to me on the phone! He was friendly, professional and very knowledgeable. He quickly and thoroughly assessed the situation, explaining everything he did as he went along. I was very impressed with how thorough he was in his examination of the damage. He let me know up front what I was looking at and I felt he was very honest and reasonable. I've had other companies out who seem to know very little and just want to start ripping everything out at once! Daryl explained and showed me why he recommended what he did and I felt very comfortable and confident in his recommendations. I highly recommend this company!! You won't be sorry.
Jo Carrington
Jo Carrington
03:09 08 Jun 19
Call these guys for the best knowledge and serve for water damage or mold.
Daryl Olsen
Daryl Olsen
18:58 26 Jan 19
We wanted our house checked for mold due to a moderately high mold count in the air sample. They were very thorough and found only one small spot in the bathroom that needed attention. They advised on our options for dealing with it and did not propose expensive and unnecessary repairs.
Heather Steed
Heather Steed
02:09 16 Aug 18
We absolutely love Utah Flood Cleanup, they come in and take all the problems over. The headache of insurance companies, they pack your items up, the clean up and restoration, and they even move all the items back in. All of there staff are professional and very knowledgeable, they layout a reasonable budget and fight against the insurance to get your house to the best finished state. All of there sub contractors are fast and experts in their fields, this company only uses professional tradesman. We really appreciate all that the Utah Flood Cleanup guys have done for us.
Kit Cc
Kit Cc
03:27 15 Aug 16
Josh and Sam came to inspect the mold we found. They were on time, considerate and knowledgeable about our situation. They presented our options and recommendations to treat the issue. I will recommend Utah Disaster to my friends and family.
Connie Pinnell
Connie Pinnell
18:16 08 Jun 16
Jaxon came and assessed water damage in our basement. They were very helpful and went out of their way to make the experience as painless as possible. Very responsive when questions came up and they were never pushy, which I appreciate.
Aimee Hollingsworth
Aimee Hollingsworth
19:48 01 Jun 16
Jaxon was great, he answered his phone at 6:30 am and was out in an hour and got my basement cleaned up
neil norton
neil norton
14:55 31 May 16
Within the last year we had a major flood in the basement, and just today had another water issue that flooded a smaller portion of the basement. I called The Flood Company immediately and they were on-site within an hour or so. I'm extremely pleased with The Flood Co. The professionalism and expertise demonstrate by Jackson and Sam put my mind at ease, knowing we would be taken care of well. I would recommend The Flood Company to anyone in need of these services. They get a five star rating from us!
William Hansen
William Hansen
03:03 26 May 16
My main water line broke and our crawl space was flooding. I called my insurance company and they recommended these guys. Sam and Jesus showed up and got things taken care of. They stopped the water line and put fans to dry the area. The insurance process was super smooth I'm glad I called them!
Karla Maquin
Karla Maquin
04:11 06 May 16
Utah Flood Cleanup is amazing! Josh and Jesus stopped by after their shift and were kind enough to give us a free inspection of our flood problem. Our little 4 year old thought he'd make a sauna in the bathroom. He flipped the shower on and walked away. We never heard the water running and came upstairs to put my daughter to bed. Sure enough, the shower was pointed into the bathroom and flooded the whole thing. Josh and Jesus came out got the whole place inspected, pulled out themal meters and moisture meters and confirmed there was water damage (and old mold growth from previous spills). They grabbed their tools and began demolishing the floor themselves, right then and there so we could get fans on it to prevent future mold growth. I hope I never have another flood but if I do, I'm definitely calling them again! They're the best!!~~~
Jessica Means
Jessica Means
01:49 22 Apr 16
These guys are great to work with and really go above and beyond to serve their customers.
Zack Adams
Zack Adams
17:36 16 Dec 15
I called in the morning and they came that afternoon. Chris and Jesus came. They were professional, polite, knowledgeable and they quickly got the place all cleaned up and prepped for the repair. Then they recommended some handymen to do the repair. I hired Hank and he was great too. Did the whole job in one day.
Alan Green
Alan Green
20:37 16 Oct 15
You showed up to our house based upon little information. When you got here you went right to work looking to see what was going on. With being a family of 7, it can be a scramble being out of a bathroom and no shower. You were excellent and so kind on letting us know what our options are and what you can do to resolve the problem in our basement bathroom. With being in our new home, not even making a second mortgage payment yet, it is hard to discover there is mold and a water leak through out the basement bathroom and laundry room. I really appreciate the time you took out of your day to come to our house. My brother in law referred us to you, and it was the best referral, so thank you very much.
Ashley Metz
Ashley Metz
22:39 30 Sep 15

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What Our Clients are Saying

Customer Testimonials

I was corrected and they are still in business. Talked to Daryl and he’s a great guy. Would definitely send work his way if I ever need it.
Robert Mixon
Robert Mixon
22:36 07 Mar 23
We had a leak in our roof while we were out of town. Daryl was so helpful and responded quickly so we were able to get our wood floor dried out to avoid damage to the floor. He was very professional and knew exactly what needed to be done.
Gary Hatch
Gary Hatch
22:52 07 Jun 22
I contact Daryl about wanting to have a mold inspection done in my crawl space. He was incredibly nice and immediately booked at time with me. When he arrived at the house, he carefully did his work, showed me the results of the tests. Thankfully there was no mold. But, even better, he took the time to show me and explain a few areas of concern for the future. Really incredible service. I wish everyone was so professional. I couldn't recommend someone more highly. 5 star!
rhayesparton
rhayesparton
23:22 13 May 22
Daryl with Utah Flood Clean Up, came to inspect a previous roof leak that had left some moisture in our walls. He was very honest about his findings and detailed with the information for removing it! I am a General Contractor and I won’t use anyone else!
Garry Naccarato
Garry Naccarato
14:11 23 Apr 22
My experience with this company is that they are honest and great to work with. Very refreshing to have someone you can trust.
Trevor Heaton
Trevor Heaton
19:44 06 May 20
Called for some detailed information about mold/removal. Daryl was busy, but called back just a few minutes later and spent time answering ALL my questions. He was very knowledgable and patient. Thank you Daryl.
Diane G
Diane G
18:00 17 Apr 20
Sadly, I've had to use Utah Flood Cleanup 4 times in the last year! I really appreciate how quickly they responded to each casualty. They were there right away! Daryl, the owner, gave me a price that was half of the other quote I got, and his men are professionals... not kids who don't have a clue. Plus, he included more "fixes" in his quote for less money. He is very knowledgeable and I felt very confident in his recommendations. He also worked directly with our insurance adjuster so that I didn't have to! I highly recommend this company.
Ashton Carrington
Ashton Carrington
16:09 16 Apr 20
I called Utah Flood Cleanup when I had a leak in the kitchen that drained down into the basement. Daryl came out shortly after speaking to me on the phone! He was friendly, professional and very knowledgeable. He quickly and thoroughly assessed the situation, explaining everything he did as he went along. I was very impressed with how thorough he was in his examination of the damage. He let me know up front what I was looking at and I felt he was very honest and reasonable. I've had other companies out who seem to know very little and just want to start ripping everything out at once! Daryl explained and showed me why he recommended what he did and I felt very comfortable and confident in his recommendations. I highly recommend this company!! You won't be sorry.
Jo Carrington
Jo Carrington
03:09 08 Jun 19
Call these guys for the best knowledge and serve for water damage or mold.
Daryl Olsen
Daryl Olsen
18:58 26 Jan 19
We wanted our house checked for mold due to a moderately high mold count in the air sample. They were very thorough and found only one small spot in the bathroom that needed attention. They advised on our options for dealing with it and did not propose expensive and unnecessary repairs.
Heather Steed
Heather Steed
02:09 16 Aug 18
We absolutely love Utah Flood Cleanup, they come in and take all the problems over. The headache of insurance companies, they pack your items up, the clean up and restoration, and they even move all the items back in. All of there staff are professional and very knowledgeable, they layout a reasonable budget and fight against the insurance to get your house to the best finished state. All of there sub contractors are fast and experts in their fields, this company only uses professional tradesman. We really appreciate all that the Utah Flood Cleanup guys have done for us.
Kit Cc
Kit Cc
03:27 15 Aug 16
Josh and Sam came to inspect the mold we found. They were on time, considerate and knowledgeable about our situation. They presented our options and recommendations to treat the issue. I will recommend Utah Disaster to my friends and family.
Connie Pinnell
Connie Pinnell
18:16 08 Jun 16
Jaxon came and assessed water damage in our basement. They were very helpful and went out of their way to make the experience as painless as possible. Very responsive when questions came up and they were never pushy, which I appreciate.
Aimee Hollingsworth
Aimee Hollingsworth
19:48 01 Jun 16
Jaxon was great, he answered his phone at 6:30 am and was out in an hour and got my basement cleaned up
neil norton
neil norton
14:55 31 May 16
Within the last year we had a major flood in the basement, and just today had another water issue that flooded a smaller portion of the basement. I called The Flood Company immediately and they were on-site within an hour or so. I'm extremely pleased with The Flood Co. The professionalism and expertise demonstrate by Jackson and Sam put my mind at ease, knowing we would be taken care of well. I would recommend The Flood Company to anyone in need of these services. They get a five star rating from us!
William Hansen
William Hansen
03:03 26 May 16
My main water line broke and our crawl space was flooding. I called my insurance company and they recommended these guys. Sam and Jesus showed up and got things taken care of. They stopped the water line and put fans to dry the area. The insurance process was super smooth I'm glad I called them!
Karla Maquin
Karla Maquin
04:11 06 May 16
Utah Flood Cleanup is amazing! Josh and Jesus stopped by after their shift and were kind enough to give us a free inspection of our flood problem. Our little 4 year old thought he'd make a sauna in the bathroom. He flipped the shower on and walked away. We never heard the water running and came upstairs to put my daughter to bed. Sure enough, the shower was pointed into the bathroom and flooded the whole thing. Josh and Jesus came out got the whole place inspected, pulled out themal meters and moisture meters and confirmed there was water damage (and old mold growth from previous spills). They grabbed their tools and began demolishing the floor themselves, right then and there so we could get fans on it to prevent future mold growth. I hope I never have another flood but if I do, I'm definitely calling them again! They're the best!!~~~
Jessica Means
Jessica Means
01:49 22 Apr 16
These guys are great to work with and really go above and beyond to serve their customers.
Zack Adams
Zack Adams
17:36 16 Dec 15
I called in the morning and they came that afternoon. Chris and Jesus came. They were professional, polite, knowledgeable and they quickly got the place all cleaned up and prepped for the repair. Then they recommended some handymen to do the repair. I hired Hank and he was great too. Did the whole job in one day.
Alan Green
Alan Green
20:37 16 Oct 15
You showed up to our house based upon little information. When you got here you went right to work looking to see what was going on. With being a family of 7, it can be a scramble being out of a bathroom and no shower. You were excellent and so kind on letting us know what our options are and what you can do to resolve the problem in our basement bathroom. With being in our new home, not even making a second mortgage payment yet, it is hard to discover there is mold and a water leak through out the basement bathroom and laundry room. I really appreciate the time you took out of your day to come to our house. My brother in law referred us to you, and it was the best referral, so thank you very much.
Ashley Metz
Ashley Metz
22:39 30 Sep 15

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