The Cleaning Of Smoke Damage: Dealing With Unpleasant Odors And More After A Fire
There is no way to capture the full scope of damage that a fire can cause. There are always water and smoke damages, but there can be other hidden damages as well. You should be aware of the destruction a fire can bring to a property. Cleanup and dealing with smoke damage are still done when your home or business has been affected by a fire. The following smoke damage cleanup information will help you deal with these issues after the fire has been put out.
Removing Stains from Soot and Smoke
Smoke damage is annoying and messy. After a fire, your house will likely still smell of smoke. The soot and smoke particles can sometimes be wiped away, but they can also be deposited on walls, ceilings, and floors. These are also areas that can be difficult to get to without professional help and can lead to long-lasting problems.
Cleaning smoke and soot damage involves first removing any visible soot with soap and water. When cleaning, it is important that the soot be removed as soon as possible because it can turn dark and become difficult to remove. Once the soot is cleaned, the odor can be neutralized.
When dealing with smoke and soot damage, it is important to have professionals do the cleaning. Professionals have training in how to get rid of smoke and soot damage. Professionals are also trained in how to do the cleaning of smoke damage. A professional cleaning service can get rid of the odor caused by smoke and soot damage.
Removing Smoke Odors
Professional companies use different techniques to remove the smoke odor. The smell of smoke is caused by tar and other substances that are left behind after being burned. Extracting the odors that smell bad requires treating the surfaces where the odor is most concentrated.
Often, professional smoke damage restoration services treat surfaces with ozone, a balancing gas that kills bacteria. The ozone neutralizes the odor, even if it has been impregnated deeply into the surfaces, and neutralizes the acids that have caused the smoke damage.
Dealing with Materials
The final step is to restore the affected area. The materials in the smoke-damaged area might need to be replaced. For example, if a wall in the house was made of wood, these materials might need to be replaced. Other materials like flooring and finishes that have been severely damaged and can't be repaired may also need to be replaced. A professional restoration service will be able to identify the materials that can be cleaned and tell you what needs to be replaced.
After a fire, sometimes the smoke damage is widespread and requires professional repairs. Contact a smoke cleanup service to get the help you need dealing with these issues.