How Much Damage Can a Microwave Fire Cause in My Kitchen?

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Cleans Up, Restores, and Repairs Fire Damaged Homes in Miramar Beach--from a small microwave to a large condo!

SERVPRO Technicians Save Miramar Beach Homes with Fire Restoration Services

Kitchen appliance fires can cause considerable amounts of damage quickly, even if the flames are smothered in a closed microwave or oven. Crestview homeowners may be surprised to find corrosion caused by soot deposits in other areas of the kitchen weeks or months after the fact, or have to deal with invisible protein residues imparting foul odors that are difficult to mask.

SERVPRO specializes in fire restoration for Crestview, Defuniak Springs, and Freeport properties with commercial-grade tools operated by licensed technicians. This firm knows the ins and outs of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards for fire damage mitigation and consistently meets these industry benchmarks with rapid-response cleanup services.

If water damage from fire suppression efforts has allowed for mold to grow on your property, your local SERVPRO team is licensed to offer mold remediation services (license numbers MRSR309 and MRSR377).

What are the Common Causes of Microwave Fires?

• Overheating food or its packaging. Overheating is the leading cause of many microwave oven fires. Carefully assess the temperature of frozen or refrigerated items before heating to ensure that food is not cooked for too long.
• Power supply failures. Electrical fires are another risk that can come from microwave usage, as with any electronic appliance. A shorted-out power supply can burn components in the housing and start a fire.
• Power surges. Sometimes power surges can cause microwaves or other devices to accidentally turn on and run until it is shut off again.
• Ignition risks. Research the make and model of the microwave you currently own, as some have components that ignite when overheated. However, this is a very uncommon occurrence.

Even if the fire is small, kitchen fires can cause damage well after the cause has been addressed. Miramar Beach residents are encouraged to report fires and file claims to ensure that licensed professionals quickly address any risks created by appliance fires.

What Can I Do to Minimize Damage to My Home After a Fire?

Home fires can be a stressful experience that can leave Miramar Beach homeowners unsure of how to handle the situation. However, SERVPRO can offer tips on keeping damage in your home to a minimum before cleanup begins:

• Avoid taking items out of your property on your own, especially before an insurance adjuster has had a chance to evaluate the situation. This precaution allows you to get a more accurate assessment of the damage and receive compensation accordingly.
• Take care when entering and leaving the affected area to avoid spreading residues and odors that can stain or affect the comfort of other rooms in your home.
• Do not try to wash soot residues off with water or water-based solutions. Contact with moisture makes soot acidic and can corrode metals and other surfaces in your kitchen.
• Cover furniture with cloths to prevent accidental staining or spreading of residues.
• Avoid operating your HVAC system until it has been inspected and cleaned to keep soot and odors from spreading through your home via the vents.

How Do SERVPRO Technicians Remove Soot and Residues from Fire-Damaged Kitchens?

SERVPRO technicians are trained and experienced in using commercial-grade solutions to remove fire damage residues in kitchens, including the following:

• Large, dry deposits can be vacuumed up and removed from the property.
• Protein residues are eliminated with the help of enzyme digesters, which break down proteins into water-soluble byproducts for easy cleaning and odor control.
• Light soot deposits and stains can be removed with a variety of manual cleaning methods, including dry cleaning sponges and EPA-registered antimicrobial solutions.
• Substantial damage to wood and other structural materials can be removed with abrasion cleaning with materials like soda ash and corn cobs.
• Oily soils created by burnt rubbers and plastics are a challenge to clean with consumer-grade products. However, SERVPRO techs have access to lipophilic cleaning solutions designed to dissolve oil-based residues.

SERVPRO of Crestview, Defuniak Springs, and Freeport, provide mitigation and restoration to keep homes looking, “Like it never even happened.” You can call (850) 267-0746 to send a team to your home.