People expect that the flames of a fire will cause damage to their home, but many are surprised by the scope of damage caused by smoke. Even if the fire was confined to one or two rooms, smoke damage might spread through the entire building.
Fortunately, smoke damage can be repaired. However, it is a complicated process, and there are many things that you can do that will make the damage worse if you’re not careful. If you’re not prepared to follow through on the complicated process, it makes the most sense to hire a fire damage restoration specialist who knows how to handle smoke damage and can do it right from the beginning.
Cleaning Techniques to Avoid
It makes sense that you would look at your smoke-damaged home and want to start cleaning right away. If you want your home cleaned rapidly and effectively, work with smoke damage restoration experts. They understand how to deal with the complexities of smoke damage to get optimal results quickly. However, if you are attempting to repair smoke damage yourself, start by avoiding some cleaning techniques that might seem useful, but can cause more damage.
Don’t use an upright vacuum on carpets or any vacuum attachments with brushes. These can force stains into walls or fabrics.
Don’t throw clothes, curtains, and bedding into the wash without deodorizing them first. This can lead to lingering smells that might be harder to remove.
Don’t use water-based cleaners on plaster walls. This can drive stains into the wall.
Where to Begin
There are a few very time-sensitive aspects of repairing smoke damage that should be addressed immediately if possible.
First, work hard to dry any items and areas that got wet while fighting the fire. Drying can be a complicated process. If you dry items too slowly, you will encourage mold growth. Drying items too quickly can lead to warping and other damage. Using heat to encourage drying can also encourage the growth of mold and other microorganisms.
Next, try to clean smoke from brass, copper, and electronics. A lot of smoke is highly acrid and can corrode these metals. To clean electronics, you will need to open them up – smoke can get inside your electronics. This process is best performed by a restoration professional.
Remove Soot
Soot is very fine ash particles that are black. It is a known carcinogen, so you should remove it with care. The best way to remove soot is with a smoke vacuum. A regular vacuum can also work, but it won’t filter as much of the soot out and may get clogged sooner.
You can also clean soot with a dry-cleaning sponge, also called a chemical, smoke, or soot sponge. Dab this sponge gently on the walls to lift off the soot. Use the sponge until the entire surface is blackened, then cut off the black parts and start again.
Remove soot from carpets first – walking on soot-covered carpets will drive the soot into the pile. Once the carpet is clean, cover the carpet to avoid getting more soot on it. Then clean upholstery, removing it from the room or covering it to avoid contamination. Finally clean the walls and ceiling.
Deodorize Materials
Next, try to remove the smoke odor from materials. This is a complicated process, and most home remedies don’t work well, if at all. Fire damage restoration professionals can use counteractants to neutralize smoke odors in most textiles. The exact counteractant necessary depends on the type of smoke and the material being treated.
In addition, ozone machines can break down and neutralize smoke odors. Use ozone machines cautiously: they can be dangerous, especially when trying to achieve the concentration of ozone necessary to impact smoke odors. It’s best left to professionals to handle this type of treatment if you want it done safely and effectively.
Get Professional Smoke Damage Repair in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee
After a fire, it’s likely that your home suffered considerable smoke damage. Fortunately, smoke damage can be repaired. Although it’s possible to attempt smoke damage repair on your own, effective remediation of smoke damage depends on the use of specialized equipment and techniques. Poorly attempted repair of smoke damage may take considerable time and expense, while worsening the damage. There are also a significant number of materials that just won’t respond to even the best smoke cleaning techniques, and only training and experience will tell you which these are. For these reasons, it simply makes sense to hire a professional to handle smoke damage.
In North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, turn to RestorePro Reconstruction. We’ve been the leading restoration company in the area since 1986. We can handle every aspect of smoke damage repair, including water damage restoration, soot removal, and deodorization of everything in the home. We can also address all repairs related to your actual fire damage.
In addition, RestorePro Damage Restoration Experts can coordinate with your insurance company. We know what documentation they need to pay your legitimate claim quickly and in full. We will document the original smoke damage, as well as all the repair steps. This makes your insurance claim process as smooth as possible.
Some aspects of smoke damage need to be addressed quickly. With our 24/7 emergency response services, we can be out immediately, ready to start work on the most important aspects of your smoke damage.
Please contact us at 919-835-0676 today to start the restoration process. RestorePro Damage Restoration Experts serves customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.