Disaster Kleenup / Better Restorations

The 2015 wildfire season set a record in the United States with more than 10 million acres going up in flames, engulfing the previous record of 9 million acres set in 2006. While California has seen fewer individual wildfires in recent years, the fires that have occurred have been more destructive than ever with 307,000 acres consumed in 2015; almost triple the five-year average of 109,000 acres.

As the effects of climate change start to become more evident in day-to-day life, especially in historically dry California, a number of companies have emerged to help home and business owners get on their feet and quickly recover from both natural and man-made disasters.

Corinne Lindquist, president of DKBF, and her father, founder and chairman, Dennis Blake

Founded in 1974, Disaster Kleenup/Better Floors & Restorations (DKBF) is a leading water, fire and mold damage restoration specialist serving clients in the residential and commercial sectors. A member of Disaster Kleenup International (DKI) — a network of independent property damage restoration contractors across North America — DKBF serves clients throughout the Southern California counties of Orange, Inland Empire and Los Angeles from its headquarters in Placentia.

In addition to operating as a disaster cleanup general contractor, DKBF also provides a full slate of flooring services, including repair, replacement, inspection and restoration.

“In our 42 years in business we have developed a good reputation within the industry. One of the biggest things our clients will say about us is the trust they have with us,” says Corinne Lindquist, president of DKBF and daughter of founder and chairman, Dennis Blake.

Around-the-clock service

With a team of more than 20 experienced restoration professionals and a 24/7 call center, DKBF is ready to step in whenever disaster strikes. When pipes burst or flooding occurs in a home or business, DKBF offers a full range of emergency services including water extraction and drying, deodorization, board-ups, debris removal, complete structural drying, dehumidification, and personal property drying and storage.

Using turbo dryers, commercial dehumidifiers and humidity evacuators, DKBF is able to quickly minimize damage, thus reducing disaster-related closures and relocations. Once the immediate fallout of a disaster has been addressed, DKBF offers structural damage assessments, helping clients to decide what services will bring their home back to pre-loss condition, if not better.

“You are coming into someone’s home where there is a disaster happening,” says Lindquist. “They weren’t planning for this to happen and it’s traumatic. We try to minimize what they have to deal with. We really care for our clients and we make it a priority to help them in their time of need. We view our customer as being not only the homeowner, but the insurance company and/or the property management company as well.”

While water damage can come from a number of sources, including burst pipes, heavy rains and flooding, sewage backups represent one of the most complex disaster restoration challenges. The risk for further contamination and increased health risks are especially pronounced in a sewage-related incident, and DKBF provides sewage cleanup and decontamination services, disinfections, encapsulation and post-remediation repair estimating and construction.

Mold is a common concern following a water-related disaster, and DKBF provides a range of mold inspection and remediation services such as testing, air scrubbing, demolition, disinfection and encapsulation. The company’s staff is trained to comply with Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards governing mold treatment and abatement and a number of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) certified mold remediation supervisors and technicians are available.

When it comes to fire and smoke-related damage, DKBF is also on call around the clock offering structural damage assessment, structural cleaning, ozone deodorization, cryo-cleaning using dry ice, thermal fogging, duct and HVAC cleaning, debris removal, content packout/packback and cleaning.

While it can be tempting to completely gut a house or business as part of the restoration process, DKBF prides itself on its ability to meet owner demands, which often means saving and restoring features of significant sentimental value. On a recent water damage project in Irvine, California, the owner requested that the company complete its disaster cleanup and restoration efforts without disturbing a number of walls covered with an intricate wallpaper pattern. “We didn’t cut the walls and we saved the wallpaper; we try to do restoration first and foremost,” says Lindquist.

No matter what type of disaster strikes — water, fire or mold — flooring often takes the brunt of the damage, making it a logical part of DKBF’s slate of services. As a flooring dealer providing carpet, laminate, vinyl, wood and tile, the company completes flooring services that include estimating and design and interior design. DKBF has developed a loyal following on the flooring side of the business, with one customer in Temecula, California, calling the company in three times over the last 24 years to help install a self-designed floor that Lindquist values at upward of $100,000. “A remodeler would just rip it out and put a new floor in while we care for the restoring aspect of it,” she says.

At home in Southern California

DKBF celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2014, a milestone that saw the company presented with the key to the City of Placentia. Subcontractors, vendors, previous customers and even the regional representative and president of DKI were present to help the company celebrate four decades in the business.

Lindquist credits the company’s longevity to her father’s tireless efforts. “My dad really laid a good foundation with the company and I have followed that; maintaining that success but also bringing in some new and fresh ideas,” she explains.

While Blake has ample field experience, Lindquist has tackled the management side of the business, working with administration and office staff to help ensure DKBF delivers consistent quality to customers of all sizes. “We work together well in that way, his strength complements me and vice versa,” she says. “He is still involved in a consulting aspect.”

The integrity and extensive knowledge base of DKBF’s employees is rated by Lindquist as one of the company’s most valuable assets. “We are doing our best to help people in the best way we can and we really do take pride in that and being an ethical company,” says Lindquist. “We say what we do and do what we say; it’s very important to uphold the reputation my dad built.”

Whenever disaster strikes, Disaster Kleenup/Better Restorations will be on hand to help residential and commercial building owners across Southern California get their buildings back in working order as quickly as possible.