The Post-Fire Cleanup Process

5/25/2020 (Permalink)

The Post-Fire Clean Up Process

Tackling the cleaning after a fire in Raleigh, NC comes with a host of new concerns: Can you restore items with smoke damage without further damaging them? Can you remove soot damage without weakening the structure of your home? Fortunately, the answer to both questions is positive: smoke cleaning and soot removal can restore many items to their pre-fire condition, though some types of restoration may require the aid of professional services.

Pre-fire Inventory

Careful documentation should be the first step of your cleanup process, but you may not be in the state of mind or have the necessary tools to compile an inventory on your own. Often, your insurance and restoration company can aid with inventories, walking you through each area of your home to compile an inventory that reflects the past and present.

Documentation methods may include

Bar coding
Digital photography
Digital video
Itemized lists

Individual Inspection

Because a fire often brings multiple types of damage, including water, soot and smoke damage, each of your belongings will need to be inspected individually during inventory to determine what is viable for restoration. Some items, such as stainless-steel cookware and glass, can be deodorized with consumer-accessible cleansers, while others, like clothes and photographs, are likely to need more specialized applications for restoration. 

Specialty Cleaning

For items that cannot be cleaned through conventional means, a content cleaning company may offer more extensive services. Ultrasonic machines can be used to deodorize nonporous items and return them to their original state, while dry cleaning can be used to remove odors from cloth items and restore your wardrobe. If you’re working with professionals, they’ll guide you through each step of the fire cleanup process and inform you which of your belongings, if any, require their specialty services. 

Returning Normalcy

Finally, although a fire can cause both physical and mental stress, it need not permanently halt your life. By smoke cleaning your belongings and removing soot and smoke damage, you’ll be one step closer to returning a sense of normalcy for your family and recovering from the fire, which is the last, but most imperative, part of the cleanup process. Visit http://www.SERVPROcarymorrisvilleapex.com for more information on fire damage.