Professional Fire Damage Cleaning - How to Respond After a Disaster

Fires can be one of the most devastating experiences you will ever encounter, and the restoration process is challenging. Dealing with soot, smoke odors, and other damage left in the fire's wake can be overwhelming for families and business owners.

Learn about the important steps you should be taking before, during, and after the fire restoration cleaning process to ensure the best possible outcome. Whether you have experienced a small kitchen fire or a large-scale disaster, understanding the importance of professional fire damage cleaning services can make all the difference in the restoration of your home.

From the initial cleanup to the removal of smoke odors and soot, fire remediation services have the expertise and equipment necessary to effectively clean and restore your home after a fire and get you back to normal life as quickly as possible.

Fire Damage Cleaning Tips

After experiencing a fire, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin the fire damage restoration process. It's important to take a step back and focus on safety first before starting any cleaning or restoration process. Below are some important steps you should take immediately after a fire:

Evacuate the property

The first and most important step is to ensure the safety of everyone involved. If the fire department has not already done so, evacuate the property and do not re-enter until it is deemed safe by the authorities.

Contact your insurance company

Notify your insurance company as soon as possible after the fire. They will be able to guide you through the claim process and advise you on what steps to take next. Your fire remediation service can also help you create a claim for a speedier result.

Secure the Property

Once the fire department has deemed it safe to enter the property, take steps to secure it. This includes boarding up windows and doors to prevent further damage or theft.

Make sure to turn off the power and gas before you enter the property as the safety of these systems may have been compromised.

Carefully document the damage in detail before any cleaning or restoration begins. Take photographs and create a written inventory of any destroyed or damaged items. This information is essential for ensuring you get everything you deserve on your insurance claim.

Contact a Professional Fire Damage Cleaning Service

A professional fire damage cleaning service will be able to assess the damage and advise you on the best course of action. They will also be able to assess the site and provide you with an estimate for the cost of cleanup and restoration.

Salvage What You Can

Before any cleaning begins, try to salvage any items that can be saved. This includes furniture, clothing, and personal belongings. These items should be cleaned and deodorized as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

Start the Fire Damage Restoration Process

Once you have completed all of the steps above and the property is safe to enter, it's time to do what you can to get the restoration process started.

Check the rest of the house to see what other rooms might have been affected. It's usually fairly easy to tell which rooms have fire damage but smoke has a tendency to cause damage in places that were nowhere near the fire.

Pay attention to the ceilings. Most people know to check the walls, but smoke can do a lot of damage to the ceiling before it escapes outside. You can spot smoke damage from the soot and discolored paint it leaves behind.

Cleaning up Smoke Damage

Smoke damage is not always permanent, so a lot of smoke-damaged items may be salvageable when you know what to do.

The first thing to do is to air the house room-by-room. Place a powerful fan in the doorway and open just one window. This will ensure maximum airflow that helps to get rid of the last of the smoke.

Use a HEPA-filter vacuum cleaner to clean up soot and debris. HEPA filters are designed to catch the smallest of particles. Keep your movements gentle, as you don't want to disturb the soot and create a cloud of airborne particles. Don't forget to run the vacuum over the walls, which will make them easier to clean.

The first stage of cleaning smoke damage from surfaces is to use a dry sponge without water or cleaners. Gently rub the affected areas to remove soot, and work on small areas at a time. Make sure to use different parts of the sponge as you go, so you aren't just moving soot around on the surface.

When the sponge has no clean areas left, use a fresh sponge. You can also trim the blackened areas off with a sharp knife for a clean surface. When you've treated the whole area with a dry sponge, it's time to start using cleaning solutions. Vinegar in warm water is an excellent alternative to commercial soot cleaners.

Removing Smoke Odor

Smoke odors after a fire can be persistent, and you may need a fire restoration service to get your property smelling clean again. They will have access to ozone generators and thermal fogging machines, which are the most efficient methods for quickly getting rid of smoke odors.

By following these steps, you can ensure the safety of everyone involved and begin the process of cleaning and restoration as soon as possible. It's important to act quickly after a fire to prevent further damage. If the fire damage was extensive, you will have a lot of work ahead of you. A professional fire damage and restoration service near you can speed up your return to normal life, with much of the cost covered by insurance.

Professional Fire Damage Cleaning - How to Respond After a Disaster with Best Option Restoration

If you’re experiencing fire damage in Denver, Arvada, Thornton, Broomfield, Boulder, or the surrounding areas, Best Option Restoration can help you. We are aware that fire damage can leave you feeling overwhelmed, and our goal is to instill peace of mind throughout the project and restore your property in the most efficient way possible. We have many years of experience in restoration reconstruction and all our general contractors are licensed and insured. If your property has been damaged due to water, fire, or mold we will give you the personalized service and expert marksmanship needed to get the job done right. To learn more about our services, call us at (720) 620-3272 or contact us online to receive an estimate on your project.