After the fire department has cleared your property, it is time to begin assessing damage from smoke and water. The first step is determining what items you can salvage from the wreckage.
Sorting through your possessions can be overwhelming, especially when trying to save important documents like social security cards and insurance policies. It is best to hire a professional restoration company that is familiar with restoring items that have been impacted by fire and water.
If you decide to try to restore items on your own, make sure that you wear protective clothing like long-sleeved work shirts, closed-toe shoes and gloves. These can help keep you safe from electrical or chemical burns, scratches and direct exposure to ash or soot particles. It is also a good idea to wear a mask, such as a N-95 respirator to minimize your exposure to airborne contaminants.
Remember that if you are dealing with soot, you must clean gently to avoid stripping off the finish of furniture or causing any permanent damage. If you are dealing with wood furniture, you can use a sponge soaked in cleaner to gently wipe away soot from the surface. Then, rinse the sponge and let it dry.
Another area that often gets overlooked after a fire is the water damage left behind by firefighters’ hoses. These can leave varying levels of standing water throughout your home or business that must be removed as soon as possible to prevent microbial growth. Our pros are experienced in dealing with microbial contamination and can help you get your property back to normal. fire cleanup