A fire in a home or business can be devastating, even when the fire is contained quickly and doesn’t actually burn up very many of your belongings or the structure itself. One reason fire is so devastating is because of the smoke damage that results. If you’ve suffered a fire, you know that professional smoke damage restoration in Ocean View, DE, is the best way to return your home or business to its original state. Here’s what you need to know about how this process works and what you can expect.
Importance of Quick Response
Perhaps the most important component of smoke damage treatments is making sure the response begins immediately. Smoke removal services need to be obtained immediately after the damage occurs to minimize the amount of damage that’s sustained. One reason this is important is because of the soot that covers the surfaces in the building. The longer the soot sits on items, the more difficult it will be to stop discoloration or salvage the item. Another concern is mold growth, which is likely because of the water used to put out the fire. Oxidation and poor air quality are other concerns, so cleaning the surface area as well as removing moisture from the air and cleaning the air are processes that all need to begin right away.
Initial Restoration Steps
When the restoration technicians begin their work, one of the first steps is to identify the damage, partially to ensure any additional damage can be avoided. This is done by sealing up holes or other access points to keep pests, people, and additional water out of the structure. The technicians will also look for areas of weakness to prevent more damage or injury to the technicians. Since mold is such a major concern after a fire, one of the first steps in mitigation is to remove standing water and remove moisture from the air with dehumidifiers to help prevent mold growth.
Removing Soot and Debris
Removing debris that can’t be salvaged after the fire is the next important step. This not only makes it easier for the technicians to do their jobs, but it helps minimize odors as well. It’s important to remove soot because it can cause damage within minutes, hours, and days. Highly porous materials will need to be replaced if they’ve been exposed to soot, and some appliances may be discolored beyond saving. However, when the cleanup begins right away, you have a greater chance of saving important personal belongings that have been affected by soot.
Cleaning and Deodorizing
The cleaning and deodorizing process is perhaps the most time-consuming part of the process. An important part of this process is determining what items like appliances, furniture, decorations, and more can be cleaned, deodorized, and salvaged. In some cases, an item may be salvageable, but the time that’s required to save the item isn’t worth the investment, and replacement is better. The technicians have products capable of cleaning up many types of materials. Removing odors from smoke and burned items requires the use of air scrubbers and ozone treatments. These treatments change the structure of molecules that are creating the smell so that the odor is actually removed, not just masked. These treatments should only be used by professional smoke restoration in Ocean View, DE because they can be dangerous when not done correctly. If you’ve suffered smoke damage, contact United Restoration, Inc. today.
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