Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air promotes clean IAQ practices following wildfires

The LA-based home services company provides tips to residents on how to rid homes of the chemicals smoke can leave behind

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air, a plumbing and HVAC company serving residential and commercial locations in California and Arizona, encourages Los Angeles area residents to keep indoor air quality top-of-mind following the wildfires that raged throughout January.

"Poor air quality is one of the biggest lingering effects of the wildfires, and it's an issue that should be taken seriously," said Sergio Rodriguez, head of HVAC for Rooter Hero. "Older homes or homes that were closer to the fires may have allowed more smoke to penetrate into living spaces and may not have adequate filtration to get all the harmful chemicals and particulate matter out."

According to the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force, wildfire smoke can expose people, pets and wildlife to hazardous pollutants for weeks after the fires have been contained. Studies suggest that wildfire smoke can increase the risk of heart attacks, atrial fibrillation and cause difficulties during pregnancy.

Rodriguez said residents affected by smoke should take extra care to clean their homes of trapped smoke and chemical residue. He suggested the following:

• Immediately change the home's air filter. Putting in a fresh filter after the fires have been contained will begin ridding the home of toxins and smells.
• Turn on the home's air conditioning unit. If the home has an updated or well-maintained HVAC system, recirculating the air can filter out harmful particles.
• Use a high-efficiency filter. A filter with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of 13 or higher will trap at least 85% of particles that are 1.0 micron or larger, and at least 50% of particles in the 0.3-1.0-micron range.
• Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. By regularly cleaning the home with a vacuum that uses a HEPA filter, residents can continue to remove toxic particles from a home's surfaces.
• Keep the indoor air fresh. Don't add more toxins to the air by using fireplaces, lighting candles or cooking with natural gas or propane.

"If you believe your home has very high levels of toxins, wear a mask before entering and call a professional to test your home's IAQ," Rodriguez said. "You may need to have your ductwork cleaned and have an air purifier added to your home's HVAC system to get all the chemicals out of your home's indoor air. It's not something you should take lightly."

For more information about Rooter Hero, please visit https://rooterhero.com/.

About Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air

Since 2011, Rooter Hero has been committed to providing the best in plumbing and drain services. With more than 100 years of plumbing heritage, the Rooter Hero team prides themselves on creating a memorable experience for each customer.

The company provides solutions for both residential and commercial needs and offers 24/7 emergency service. Operating in service area locations throughout California and Arizona, Rooter Hero offers options such as HVAC service and installation in select areas. For more information, please visit https://rooterhero.com or call 844-219-2215.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
(865) 977-1973
[email protected]

SOURCE Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air