Leave It To The Professionals To Clean Up Soot! Call SERVPRO!

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

Soot damaged framing at a home in Momence, IL.

You’ll probably be anxious to start cleaning your home after a fire, however, unless you take the time to get a professional to help you, you’ll be wasting your efforts and time or even creating more damage. Contact your insurance agent immediately; they can give you advice on replacement or restoration of any items which sustained fire damage. If you are a renter, speak with your landlord so you can both assess the damages.

Your insurance agent might also be able to help you find a professional fire damage restorer. These companies can give you hints to prevent any more damage, and help you figure out what items can or cannot be refurbished, plus give you estimates and services for thoroughly deodorizing and cleaning your home. Even if you think the services are pricey, it is well worth it to avoid more costly damages or replacing furnishings and floors they might otherwise be able to restore for you.

Avoiding More Damage

Before you get the professional fire damage restoration company in your home, there are some things you can do to prevent more damages. However, make sure that you have permission from the fire marshal first that it is safe to enter your home again before you do anything at all. Open up windows to get the air inside moving and ventilate areas of your home. If you can, place a fan inside as well to help circulate the air. If there has been water damage which is substantial and it is warm outside, you will likely have to keep the windows closed and use a dehumidifier. With cold weather, your heating system, if operable, plus the cold air will help to start to take the moisture out. Change your furnace filter daily in this case until no soot shows. When the professionals get there, they will have the proper industrial equipment to continue and finish the process of drying your structure out completely. You can begin the dry out process to help mold from forming, which can happen quite quickly. Put plastic food wrap or aluminum foil around the legs of our furniture, and over items that are clean and dry with plastic, so they are not damaged during the repairs process.

Soot in Household Textiles

Soot is oily and will easily stain your draperies, carpets, and other household textiles. This is why it needs to be removed before anything is cleaned or deodorized. Let a professional restoration company remove the soot with a heavy-duty vacuum. They will be able to get the soot out properly and thoroughly so that your belongings have the best chance of being restored. They will also know how to avoid other items from being damaged from the soot during clean up. The professionals will also be able to remove soot from walls and other items in your home before they professionally remove the odors left behind as well.