HANDLING SMOKE DAMAGE AFTER A FIRE

Fires occur in residential or commercial premises from time to time and cause significant damage to property. Some of the major causes of fire damage are accidents and negligence, faulty wiring, faulty construction, defective appliances, willful misconduct and natural disasters. In case you are a fire victim, the next course of action is usually fire damage restoration.

Fire damage restoration is the process of returning the damaged property to its pre-loss state. One crucial aspect of the water/fire restoration process is smoke damage restoration. Dealing with smoke damage is often the primary pain point after the fire is put out. Below is a simple guide on how to manage smoke damage after a fire.

1. IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF FIRE

Not all fires are the same. Depending on the source, every fire will have a personality and damage type. Low oxygen fires tend to leave behind wet smoke residue. On the other hand, high oxygen fires leave the drier smoke residue. 

You will find it a lot easier to clean residue from high oxygen fires. In case you used water to extinguish the fire, the humidity in the premises will typically increase. The increased moisture causes the wooden structures to absorb more smoke and residue.

2. OBSERVE SAFETY

Smoke is corrosive and can damage anything if you give it enough time. In many cases, smoke from a commercial or residential fire is not only emanating from burnt wood. It may come from other items such as plastics, chemical, and leathers.

These factors will determine how you deal with the smoke damage. The air around these charred items may be toxic. As such, you should consider wearing nitrile gloves and dust masks. Another recommended task is ventilating the premises. Open all the windows and install a fan to circulate air.

3. ELIMINATE ANY SOURCE OF ODOR

Odor from smoke damage can be particularly challenging to deal with. Start by removing all the items that you have deemed to be a total loss or beyond repair from the property as soon as possible. Doing so will mitigate a considerable amount of the smoke odor.

The next step is drying any remaining wet items. Use fans and dehumidifiers to achieve this. The smoke odor may remain in upholstered furniture, draperies, carpets, and clothing. This will be the case if you do not adequately deodorize them before cleaning. You should ideally seek professional assistance for this process.

If you cannot have the textiles professionally treated, there are two options. The first is to soak the textiles in a cup of dishwashing detergent dissolved in a gallon of warm water. The second option is to use household chlorine bleach for the items that can be bleached.

4. CLEAN SOOT STAINS FROM WALLS

If possible, use a chemicals sponge to clean soot from the walls. Chemical sponges are usually available from a cleaning supply company. You can also use other non-water based cleaner for this task. Rubbing alcohol or paint thinner also work well. 

However, you must exercise caution while using these items due to the fumes and toxicity. Wear rubber gloves and increased ventilation while you are working. Avoid using water-based cleaners on plaster walls. They cause the stains to bleed into the walls.

You should contact your insurance agency as soon as possible following a fire incident. They may provide advice on the restoration process and legalities. They may be able to recommend a professional water and fire damage restorer. Regardless of whether you enlist the services of professional fire restorers, the above actions can help minimize further damage