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Smoke Damage Cleanup

How to File an Insurance Claim for Fire and Smoke Damage
Fire Damage Restoration, Smoke Damage Cleanup

How to File an Insurance Claim for Fire and Smoke Damage

While many of us have renter’s or homeowner’s insurance policies that cover fire damage, deciding what to do after a property fire can be daunting. But property owners aren’t just dealing with damage from the flames, they will find that their building materials and contents will be covered in an oily, thick residue from smoke damage as well as wet surfaces from the fire hose. While these materials will need emergency fire damage restoration services in order to save as much time and money in the repair process, an insurance claim will need to be filed beforehand to cover the costs. Damages Caused by the Smoke Even after the flames have been extinguished, the majority of the damage is still spreading from extra soot and smoke byproducts covering the household surfaces. Especially f...
How to Remove Smoke Odors from a Room
Smoke Damage Cleanup

How to Remove Smoke Odors from a Room

Odors are a part of everyday life. From cooking to cleaning to simply being outside in nature, people encounter various smells on a daily basis. Not all smells are pleasing to come across, though. Smoke, for example, is not only unsightly, but it also produces a strong odor. When smoke is present, its particles will become absorbed by porous building materials, furnishings, and surfaces. Examples of such include clothing, carpeting, and even walls. This allows the smoke odor to linger well after the smoke has left the area, so you may be dealing with the stubborn smell for a while. In some situations, you may simply deal with the smell by spraying some air freshener. While this can help ease smoke odors, it is not enough to remove them. The odor needs to be treated below the surface ...
What Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover in the Event of a Fire?
Fire Damage Restoration, Smoke Damage Cleanup

What Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover in the Event of a Fire?

Flames that explode into a raging home fire cause a staggering $6.7 billion in damages annually. Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires in the nation. Heating equipment is a close second as the origin of house fires. As kitchen equipment and heating appliances are the standard gadgetry found in all homes, as well as other flammable sources, fire insurance becomes a necessity for homeowners. While the occupants of a home are fortunate to avoid the effects of a devastating house fire, the blaze snatches irreplaceable valuables and personal mementos. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy covers most possessions in the event of a house fire, but the cause of the fire dictates whether or not insurance reimbursements are paid out. Natural Disasters Wild Fires Homes that are ...
Fire Damage Restoration, Smoke Damage Cleanup

How to Prevent Smoke from Coming Out of the Fireplace

Winter is fast approaching, and the balmy indoors are starting to once again appear very appealing. If your home features a fireplace, you may decide to make use of it in the cool season. After all, what could be better on a blistering winter day than cozying up to the warmth of a blazing fire with a mug of hot cocoa and a comfy couch to take it all in? Many homeowners who enjoy the crackling heat of a fireplace fire also report that they have almost no luck with containing the smoke to within the fireplace flue, or chimney. Instead, they experience billowy smoke wafting into their living room. If you’ve got a functional fireplace and a wish to use it, then the following tips will help you experience your fireplace as intended—without the unwanted smoky guest entering uninvited into...
Oil Furnace and Burner Puff Back Causes, Prevention, and Treatment
Fire Damage Restoration, Smoke Damage Cleanup

Oil Furnace and Burner Puff Back Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

If your home’s heating system contains an oil burner or furnace, it is prone to a puff back. When these occur, oil explodes when ignited within the system, releasing smoke and soot onto surrounding surfaces. If your home uses a forced air system, the byproducts also can spread throughout the home via the air ducts, covering the entire property in a thick oily, residue. While it looks disgusting and will surely cause permanent damage if left untreated, this residue should never be cleaned with home remedies. Instead, contact a professional cleaning and restoration company; they will use professional cleaning products to remove all smoke and soot byproducts. What is a Puff Back A puff back occurs when an oil burning furnace does not ignite when prompted. The vapors build up in the b...
Why smoke damage can be harmful to your home and family
Smoke Damage Cleanup

Why smoke damage can be harmful to your home and family

After the flames are put out and the fire trucks leave, you may simply be relieved that the worst of the crisis is over. Unfortunately, even if the fire was small and contained to a single area of your home, smoke damage could still cause harm to your home and family. As soon as the fire is put out, call a professional smoke damage restoration team to mitigate these problems. Smoke Damage to Your Home Smoke and ash carry acidic particles that can discolor fabrics, wood, and other organic materials. It can also corrode metal surfaces. If left untreated, smoke can seep into the woodwork of your home, causing structural damage. Health Dangers of Smoke Damage In a house fire, smoke is not produced simply by burning wood. Plastics, synthetic fabrics and other materials also burn, releas...
Chimney Cleaning Tips
Smoke Damage Cleanup

Chimney Cleaning Tips

As winter fast approaches or may already be here, wood-burning fireplaces must be cleaned to ensure there will be no issues with carbon poisoning. Pay special attention to that because without regular cleaning your chimney will be at higher risk of keeping much of the dangerous buildup produced while burning firewood or coal. Clean your fireplace not only to make it look good but also to ensure it is safe and doesn't have any buildup. Begin the chimney check up by looking for leaks. Start a fire in the fireplace as usual and once it is burning throw in some smoke-causing fuel that would allow you to track for possible leaks. Once the smoke goes in the chimney, pay attention and mark the leaks if you can spot any. Repair by using chimney patch and make sure it is safe to proceed to the n...
Wish List for Your Home and Office – Removing Smoke and Odor from Walls
Smoke Damage Cleanup

Wish List for Your Home and Office – Removing Smoke and Odor from Walls

Experienced faulty wiring?  Cigarettes?  Candles?  House fire?  Even small fires can cause an extensive amount of smoke damage; the best way to avoid lasting damage is to remove as much of it as possible in as short a time as possible.  Beware though, smoke stains will smudge if you’re not careful when you try to remove them!  Check out the following tips from howtocleanstuff.net on how to remove stains safely and effectively: Smoke Cleanup - Removing Smoke from Walls What You Will Need: • Rubber gloves • Safety glasses • Chemical dry-cleaning gloves • Paint thinner or rubbing alcohol • Soft cloth or sponge • Fan, to help with ventilation • Ladder or step stool • Drop cloth The Smoke Cleaning Process: 1. Start by properly ventilating the area. With harsh fumes from smoke and ...
Preparing Your Home for Sale: How to Remove Smoke Damage
Fire Damage Restoration, Smoke Damage Cleanup

Preparing Your Home for Sale: How to Remove Smoke Damage

Did your last attempt at culinary greatness get out of hand? Did you get distracted while leaving a dish on the stove? Did an errant candle burn too brightly (and right through your curtains)? Even a small fire can produce a lot of smoke, leaving soot and odors that penetrate carpet, upholstery, clothing and other porous materials. If you are planning on selling your home, it is really important to remove any past evidence of smoke damage. Week 3 – The Dos and Don’ts of Removing Smoke Damage Cleaning smoke damage is not an easy task, but it can be completed successfully if you keep the following tips (courtesy of ServiceMaster) in mind: DO: •    Cover carpeted traffic areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional soiling. •    Discard open food packages. The food could be co...
Smoke Damage Restoration
Smoke Damage Cleanup

Smoke Damage Restoration

Cleaning smoke damage is a complicated procedure. Whether the damage comes from cigarette smoke, nearby forest fire, or a house fire, careless or improper cleaning methods can cause additional property damage and health risks. Structural Assessment The first step in smoke damage removal is assessing the structural integrity of the property. A professional smoke damage restoration service is trained to recognize and handle a wide variety of health and safety hazards. Once the structural assessment is complete, the smoke damage clean up process can begin. Linens and Fabrics Smoke permeates any porous surface, and clings to fabrics such as drapes, upholstery, clothing, and linens. Drapes, clothing and linens can be sent to a dry cleaners or laundry for cleaning and deodorizing. Pr...