Nobody ever thinks their place will experience a fire, but prompt and effective cleaning is essential when it does. The sooner you begin cleaning up after a fire, the less damage your property will likely suffer. Although it can be overwhelming to consider tackling such a huge task on your own, there are several steps you can take to help mitigate further damage and restore your property to its pre-fire condition.
If you want to know some cleaning techniques depending on the smoke damage you face, keep reading! This article will cover the different types of damage and discuss specific methods for removing fire damage, such as soot, smoke residue, and other contaminants.
Top 3 Types Of Fire Contaminants Fire Damage Can Leave Behind
1. Soot:
Soot results from incomplete combustion and is dark in color, often clinging to walls, furniture, and other surfaces throughout your place. To clean soot from walls and other surfaces in your home, you will need a vacuum cleaner and non-toxic cleaning products designed for soot removal.
2. Smoke Residue:
Smoke residue is often left behind after a fire. It can be difficult to remove without the right equipment and cleaning products. To clean smoke residue from walls, furniture, and other surfaces in your home, use a wet-dry vacuum cleaner and non-toxic cleaning products specifically designed for smoke residue removal.
3. Odors:
Fires can leave behind strong odors that are difficult to remove without the right equipment and cleaning products. To clean smoke residue from walls, furniture, and other surfaces in your home, you can clean it with a combination of wet-dry vacuuming and odor control products.
4 Main Potential Hazards Of Cleaning Fire Damage
1. Electrical Issues:
When cleaning fire damage, it is important to be aware of potential electrical hazards that may be present in your home. Make sure you unplug any electrical appliances or exposed wiring before attempting to clean up the area. It is also important to ensure no water comes into contact with any electrical fixtures or outlets.
2. Weakened Structures:
In some cases, fire damage may have weakened structural components of the building, such as walls, ceilings, and floors. Before cleaning any areas that may be structurally compromised, consult a licensed professional to assess and guide on proceeding safely.
3. Harmful Contaminants:
Fire damage can release harmful contaminants into the air, such as soot and smoke residue. Cleaning these contaminants properly requires special equipment and cleaning products designed to trap and remove them without releasing them back into the air.
4. Toxic Chemicals:
In some cases, firefighting chemicals used to extinguish a fire may be left behind after the fire has been extinguished. This residue can be toxic and must be properly removed to ensure the safety of anyone in the home.
2 Special Cleaning Methods For Removing Fire Damage
1. Dry Cleaning:
Dry cleaning is a method that uses special chemicals, sponges, and vacuums to remove soot and smoke residue without water. This method is best for surfaces that cannot be cleaned with water, such as fabrics or carpets.
2. Wet Cleaning:
Wet cleaning uses detergents and water to clean surfaces that have been affected by fire damage, such as walls and floors. This method is often combined with dry cleaning to ensure the most effective removal of soot and smoke residue.
Avoid The Hassle & Let The Experts Take Care Of It For You!
At RESTORx of Washington, we understand the hassle and how traumatic it can be to have your property damaged by fire. That is why we offer professional fire damage restoration services to help as many people as possible return to their normal lives. Avoid DIY cleaning and let our experts take care of it. We are a certified and licensed fire restoration company with over 40 years of experience in the industry.
We have all the equipment and cleaning products to remove soot, smoke residue, odors, and other contaminants from your property. Unlike other companies, we are honest and reliable, so you can trust we won’t ever take advantage of your situation or charge you extra. You deserve the peace of mind knowing your belongings and property are safe and secure. Contact us for an initial assessment and to learn more about our fire damage restoration services!
