The Mansfield, Ohio Area's Preferred Cleaning & Restoration Company Since 1985

Fire Damage Repair: When Candles Don’t Grant Your Wish!

fire damage repair mansfieldWhen you were a child, birthday candles could guarantee your heart’s desire. But as a homeowner, candles have the potential to bring a nightmare. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, candles caused 2% of reported home fires. Over 80 deaths, 800 injuries, and $295 million in property damage has been reported annually in the US.

The Covid-19 stay at home orders have influenced more people to take refuge in candles; sales have increased 29% during the pandemic. So more candles mean more risk to Mansfield families.

Are They Safe?

Burning candles can release carcinogenic toxins: benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde. The emissions from paraffin candles contain many of the same toxins produced by burning diesel fuel.

Scented and aromatic candles can include ingredients that don’t burn clean and leave airborne particulates.For people with respiratory issues, lighting these candles in unventilated space can  aggravate asthma, cause allergy-like symptoms, or further irritate the respiratory tract.

Plus, candle pollution can also discolor walls, ceilings, and furnishings.

Simple Stains

When the breeze near vents, through open windows or from fans blows the candle flame around, the size of the flame changes. When the flame is still, a constant amount of fuel is used. However, a variable flame feeds the wick with fuel at a different speed. Sometimes not all of the fuel source is burned; excess oil is converted to airborne soot.

This oily debris will land as a smudgy coating. Windows, glass and mirrors are petty easy to polish up. But other surfaces can be very difficult. Cleaning them with a normal sponge will just spread the stains. Professionals use special sponges and chemical cleaners made specifically to clean surfaces stained by soot.

Dangerous Flames

Fire is fire, so even a candle has the potential for a full house fire. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, costs range from $200 to $6,000 of damage.

On a small scale, when the wax level becomes low in a jar, the heat can shatter the glass.  If the flame gets out of control, fixtures, and furnishings will be ruined. Walls and ceilings can suffer structural damage. Even more frustrating is discovering “hidden” damage to the electrical system.

Our fire damage repair pros will also address the lingering smell of smoke. Those microscopic particles invade every space and leave an acrid odor that won’t leave on its own. The professionals have products and procedures to work in any charred areas.

Candle Safety Tips

Enjoying candles requires basic fire safety in your home. Working smoke alarms should be installed on every floor and every room that regularly uses candles.

  • Avoid using candles in bedrooms where people may fall to sleep.
  • Keep candles at least 1 foot away from anything that may burn, such as drapes, clothing and bed sheets
  • Use sturdy candle holders that won’t bend or tip easily
  • Keep loose clothing and long hair away from flames
  • Never burn a candle all the way down to the bottom, leave at least an inch.
  • Never rely on burning candles during power outages. Have a flashlight at the ready!

Hopefully you’ll never have a house fire. But if you do, call Shambaugh. Once the fire is extinguished, you need to clean up, repair materials and perhaps restore structural damage. You can’t just cover the stains with fresh paint. Fire damage repair experts will need to assess how far into the walls the chemicals generated by a fire have spread.

Your homeowners insurance may or may not cover damage resulting from soot. The policy usually will cover the fire damage repairs. And Shambaugh Cleaning can help you with all of it.

For Fire Damage Repair In Mansfield

Professional home cleaning contributes to better air quality. Our fire damage repair experts only use the best and most effective carpet and surface cleaning methods to remove all the evidence of smoke, soot, and flames. Since 1985, they have been keeping Mansfield homes clean, fresh and healthy.

Fire Damage Repair: When Candles Don’t Grant Your Wish!