HVAC Duct Cleaning After Fire in Orange County, CA
After a fire, smoke and ultra-fine soot migrate into your supply and return ductwork, where they keep circulating odors and residues long after surfaces are wiped. White Glove Plumbing & Restoration performs professional HVAC duct cleaning after fire—from system protection and negative-pressure cleaning to coil/blower service and targeted deodorization—so your air is clean and your system runs safely.
✓ System-safe setup: Protects equipment and occupied rooms
✓ True source removal: Brush/air-whip + HEPA capture
✓ Odor control: Deodorize and seal (when appropriate)
✓ Carrier docs: Photos, logs, and a clear report
✓ System-safe setup
✓ True source removal
✓ Odor control
✓ Carrier docs
What Is HVAC Duct Cleaning After Fire?
It’s a source-removal process that pulls soot and ash out of the duct system using rotary brushes or air whips while the system is held under negative pressure and exhausted through HEPA-filtered collectors.
We clean major components—supply/return trunks, branch runs, registers, blower, evaporator coil, drain pan, and plenums—then treat odor as needed and reset with the correct filters.
Why Choose White Glove Plumbing
End-to-end fire recovery: Board-up, debris removal, HEPA air management, duct cleaning, odor neutralization, and rebuild—one accountable team.
Standards-led work: NADCA ACR and IICRC principles for post-fire environments; negative-pressure cleaning with verifiable capture.
Right tools, right sequence: Protect → pre-vac → rotary brush/air-whip agitation → negative-air capture → coil/blower cleaning → deodorize/seal (as needed).
Clear documentation: Before/after photos, filter condition, zone maps, and a technician report your insurer will understand.
Emergency Checklist (What to Do Now)
Keep HVAC off in fire-affected zones to avoid redistributing soot.
Close returns in smoky areas; avoid running portable fans that stir residues.
Do not replace filters yet—we’ll document and bag them as evidence for the claim.
Limit access to mechanical rooms while we assess safety and power.
Call our 24/7 dispatcher—we’ll protect the system and schedule cleaning.
Common Fire Scenarios We Handle
Kitchen/protein fires where invisible residues carry powerful odors through returns.
Furnace puff-backs (fuel-oil soot) coating ducts and registers with sticky films.
Room/contents fires that drive soot into the system during or after suppression.
Wildfire smoke intrusion depositing fine ash across long duct runs.
Construction/demolition phases after the fire, which can re-contaminate ducts.
Assessment & System Protection
Verify electrical safety and unit condition; protect registers and work areas; install HEPA air scrubbers (as needed) and set up negative pressure for the duct system.
Pre-Vacuum & Access Prep
Remove loose debris from registers/returns; install access openings (code-compliant panels) at trunks/plenums for effective agitation and capture.
Rotary Brush / Air-Whip Agitation
Mechanically agitate supply and return runs end-to-end; combine with high-CFM negative air so loosened soot is pulled to the collector—not into rooms.
Component Cleaning (Blower/Coil/Pan/Plenum)
Clean blower wheel and housing; foam/rinse the evaporator coil and sanitize the drain pan; wipe plenum interiors and accessible cabinet surfaces.
Odor Neutralization & Selective Sealing
Apply occupied-safe deodorization to duct interiors; when staining or residual porosity remains, use post-clean encapsulant in targeted sections (not a substitute for cleaning).
Filter Reset, Verification & Report
Install the specified MERV-rated filter, take final photos, and provide a report with zones cleaned, methods used, and maintenance recommendations.
What’s Included
System protection & negative-pressure setup with containment as needed
Rotary brush/air-whip agitation and HEPA-filtered capture for supply/return runs
Register, trunk, and plenum cleaning with access panels installed where required
Blower, coil, and pan cleaning (foam/rinse and drain service)
Targeted deodorization & optional encapsulant after thorough cleaning
Report package with before/after photos, filter spec, and recommendations
Costs & Timelines (What to Expect)
Typical duration: Single-system homes complete in ½–1 day; multi-system houses or large commercial zones run 1–3 days.
Cost drivers: System count, duct length/complexity, coil/blower condition, access needs, odor severity, and after-hours scheduling.
Transparent scope: We present line-item pricing by system/zone and share the same documentation with your adjuster.
Insurance & Claims Help
Carrier-friendly evidence: Photos (before/during/after), filter condition, zone maps, and service notes by component.
Scope alignment: We explain why coil/blower/pan cleaning and deodorization are necessary to prevent re-odor and re-soiling.
Supplements: If hidden contamination, damaged insulation, or additional access is needed, we document and submit promptly.
Risks of Waiting (Why Act Now)
Persistent odors each time the fan runs.
Acidic soot corrosion on metal components and electronics.
Fine particulate redistribution that re-soils cleaned rooms.
IAQ complaints and respiratory irritation—especially for sensitive occupants.
Methods, Equipment & Quality Standards
Standards: Work aligned with NADCA ACR and IICRC fire restoration principles.
Capture: High-CFM negative air with HEPA filtration; sealed access points post-clean.
Agitation: Rotary brushes and/or air-whip systems matched to duct material (metal, lined, flex).
Components: Blower wheels/housings, evap coils, drain pans/lines, plenums and cabinets cleaned to visual clarity; drain test verified.
Odor strategy: Hydroxyl/thermal fog downstream of cleaning where needed; ozone only in unoccupied spaces with controlled re-entry; encapsulant used after cleaning in targeted sections.
Filters: Reset with appropriate MERV rating; recommend follow-up filter change after 1–2 weeks of run time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will duct cleaning alone remove all odor?
It removes a major odor source. We pair it with interior wipe-down and deodorization for complete results.
Do you clean flex duct?
Yes—with gentle air-whip agitation and careful technique; where flex is damaged or collapsed, we recommend replacement.
Is sealing required?
Only after thorough cleaning and only in targeted areas to lock residual porosity—not as a shortcut.
Do you clean the air handler and coil too?
Yes—blower, coil, pan, and plenum are part of the scope; skipping them leaves odor and residue behind.
Can you work around occupants or business hours?
Absolutely—phased scheduling and containment keep clean areas open.
Will this void my HVAC warranty?
We use industry-accepted methods; if your unit is under warranty, we’ll follow manufacturer guidance and document procedures.
More White Glove Plumbing Fire Damage Restoration Services
Proudly Serving All of Orange County
Address: 1430 E Borchard Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: (949) 209-5206
Email: office@whitegloveplumbingca.com
White Glove Plumbing is locally based in Santa Ana and serves residential and commercial clients across Orange County with 24/7 emergency plumbing and water-damage restoration.
Our expert team handles leak detection, emergency plumbing, water extraction/dry-out, sewage cleanup, mold remediation, and reconstruction in top OC areas including Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Orange, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Fullerton, Yorba Linda, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente - plus surrounding neighborhoods.
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1430 E Borchard Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705