Cheatham, Robertson & Dickson County Fire Damage - Why You Should Leave Smoke Damage Removal to a Professional

9/25/2015 (Permalink)

Fire damage is just the beginning when your house or office catches fire. Smoke and water also do a lot of damage, and this needs to be mitigated as soon as possible in order for the building to be returned to its pre-fire condition.

Why Is Smoke Damage Serious?

Smoke leaves behind powerful odors because of the material burned. Carpets, upholstery, wood and plastics are all burned and create odors and ash that can corrode, etch and discolor as well as cling to the remaining structure. Some of the fumes from the fire damage will seep into the walls and floors and may contaminate the indoor air much later if they are not removed. These cannot be removed with a household cleaner. It takes special equipment and the expertise of professionals to mitigate smoke damage, so the house is odor-free.

The different types of damage include:

•  Plastics that melt and change color
•  Fiberglass that cracks
•  Finishes on appliances that turn yellow
•  Metals that tarnish or corrode
•  Wood that may need refinishing

The longer you wait to call a professional mitigation contractor, the worse the situation will be. After the fire is out, the smoke and ash remain. It’s also more cost-effective to get the repair started as soon as possible. Even if the fire damage in Springfield is contained in a small part of your house, smoke damage can permeate a greater area.

How Is Smoke Damage Cleaned?

Professionals use thermal fogging to remove smoke odor. This technique opens the pores in the walls and floors to neutralize the odor from the smoke that has entered deep into them. The also use dehumidifiers to thoroughly dry the water damage and ozone generators to neutralize the odor. Different chemicals are required to remove the smoke from different substances such as wood and plastic. The final step in smoke mitigation is to repaint the walls and ceilings.

Professionals Know the Job

The best fire damage professionals are properly trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). They take extensive coursework to get their certification. They will identify all the affected materials in your home and find the source of any odors. Smoke and heat will distribute ash through the home and it can remain in cracks and crevices. Experts know what can be salvaged and what needs to be discarded. They use specialized detergents that have been designed to treat specific types of odor.

Professionals can also increase the possibility of saving property rather than needing to replace it, and they can clean out your vents and ducts. Some of the services offered are:

•   Removal of smoke and odor
•   Cleaning and sanitizing
•   Professional deodorization
•   Temporary protection of surfaces already cleaned
•   Removing carpets and pads if required

Fire damage is devastating, but it is not over when the fire is out. To get your home back to pre-damaged condition, professional fire and smoke mitigation is essential.

SERVPRO of Cheatham, Robertson & Dickson Counties’ fully certified water removal staff can perform a complete damage assessment to your home of office, and then recommend and follow the industries standards to get your water removal restoration repaired properly available 24 hours a day.