Cleaning Importance after Fire Damage

9/27/2018 (Permalink)

A fire in Amherst, NY caused by an space heater

Damage caused by fire is varied. Different surfaces, textures, and materials react in different ways to the extreme temperature which makes restoration a nuanced and complex job. Using the wrong cleaning materials can at best, spread soot and smoke residues. At worst, it can cause further damage and require expensive replacement. After a blaze has been contained, there is the added risk of secondary water damage.

Properties that have fallen victim to fire damage should be pre-tested before any work begins. A pretest can be carried out by a qualified SERVPRO fire technician who can measure affected areas for smoke damage. Although, smoke damage is visible, there are many different types which depend on the materials that burned.

Wet smoke, for example, burns at a low temperature and comes from synthetic materials that could be in appliances, lampshades or fabrics. This smoke, produced from melting plastics, has a pungent smell leaving behind thick, oily markings on walls and ceilings. Dry smoke, on the other hand, comes from natural materials like wood and paper leaving behind a powdery soot like texture.

A SERVPRO technician can conduct a pre-test that looks for different types of smoke residue. A pretest allows us to decide on the correct method of restoration as well as products that we should use to restore your items to pre-fire standards. Using a combination of wet cleaning and dry cleaning allows us to provide a professional focus to each affected area and guarantee the best results.

A fire restoration service by SERVPRO is two-fold. The first is your contents which can be removed, tested and restored. The second is the structure itself, which involves removing soot and smoke residue from your walls, ceilings, and permanent fittings. We can restore your walls, so they are ready for repainting, as well as your floors, windows and, where possible, fabrics.

The final step is to deodorize. Burning materials leave thick smells that are not cleanable with regular fresheners. Our equipment neutralizes the odor particles rather than merely covering the smell. This approach is especially important when tackling synthetics which can release toxins when subjected to fire. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. CALL SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence 716-639-8687