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Fire Damage Cleanup Tips

By Luke Armstrong

Cleaning fire damage can be difficult and time consuming. Smoke permeates any porous surface, including walls, ceiling tiles, and insulation. Soot and ash cover the damaged area, and there may be extensive water damage as well. Before you attempt to clean fire damage yourself, follow these tips:

Fire DamageAssess the Damage

Once the fire marshal has inspected the building and determined that it is safe to enter, call your insurance agent and your landlord if you rent the property. If only a few square feet are affected and the damage is minor, you may be able to clean it yourself using household cleaners and deodorizers. Otherwise, you should hire a professional fire damage cleanup service that can prevent further damage to your home and possessions, and fully restore and repair your property. A fire damage repair professional can also advise you on which possessions can be restored and which must be replaced.

Prevent Further Damage

Ventilate and dry the area as quickly as possible. Remove wet carpets, rugs, and other textiles to a dry area to prevent mold and mildew growth.

Place foil, plastic or wooden casters under furniture legs to avoid staining the carpet. Remove any brass or copper items and clean them immediately with a specialized cleaner to avoid smoke etching.

If your property has significant water damage as well, follow these tips to minimize the damage.

Do not attempt to clean fire damaged carpets or other textiles with a regular vacuum. The rotating brush will grind soot further into the fibers, damaging them beyond repair.

Hire A Fire Damage Cleanup Service

It is important to get the fire damage repair process started as soon as possible to prevent any further damage. The service technicians at RestorationMasterFinder.com typically begin the fire damage repair process within three hours of your initial call. You can relax, knowing that your home and possessions will be cleaned, deodorized, and repaired by reliable, knowledgeable professionals.