What Are the Secrets to Doing Smoke Damage Clean Up Right?

Why is doing smoke damage clean up such a daunting task?

Doing smoke damage clean up is one of the most difficult and daunting challenges when it comes to recovery after a fire. Successful restoration is dependent on many things but to really ensure smoke damage is handled right the first time, it’s helpful to know the tricks of the trade. Here are some of the secrets to doing smoke damage clean up right.

Secret #1: Smoke Damage Clean Up Timing is Critical

Smoke and soot residue will continue to cause damage to a home as long as it’s left untreated. In order to have a chance at reversing the damage, immediate attention is required. Smoke can cause surfaces to discolor in a matter of minutes, and in a few hours it can affect the color of furniture, appliances, and even tile grout. After a few days, any fabrics from upholstery to linens and carpets to clothing can begin to show signs of staining, sometimes permanently. Wood and vinyl may require refinishing or replacement at this point and even metals can begin to corrode in just a few days.

Sometimes it’s not possible to begin restoration immediately due to safety issues, but once a property is cleared for entry, your best bet is to get a crew in as quickly as possible to begin the process of smoke and soot removal. Timing really is one of the most important aspects, and one of the biggest secrets to getting it done right.

Secret #2: Smoke Damage Clean Up Is an Art… and a Science

Unless you’ve had to deal with the aftermath of a fire you might not be aware of the complex nature of smoke cleanup. The truth is it really is a combo pack of art and science. To do it right takes not just the right tools and cleaning products, but also the right knowledge, experience, and technique.

Different kinds of fires produce different types of smoke. For example, when grease or protein burns in a fire, common in kitchen fires, the smoke residue left behind is hard to see but has a strong odor and is difficult to remove. Alternately, when synthetic materials and plastics burn they leave behind smoke residue that is sticky and smeary and is impossible to just wipe clean.

Taking into account the kind of fire and the type of fuel involved is the first step to starting cleanup with the right products and tools. Different cleaning products work on different types of smoke and different tools are used in different locations and circumstances all of which are dependent on the residue left behind. Without the expertise to know what’s what, this could all be overwhelming, which is why the art and science working together is so important.

Secret #3: Smoke Damage Clean Up Is Really about the Smell

Have you ever smelled a house after a fire? It’s not a good smell. The odor from smoke damage can not only make a house unpleasant, it can make it unlivable. This is why smoke odor removal is one of the biggest secrets to successful restoration. A combination of odor removing cleaning products and odor removing equipment is the first step. Cleaning the soot and smoke residue properly followed by air filtration and ozone generation all work together to get rid of the smell.

Restoration after a fire is a complex and intensive task. It’s important to understand the ins and out of the process, why it takes a special kind of process and care, and that it’s really critical to put it in the hands of trusted professionals.

Contact Can-Restore for help with doing smoke damage clean up by calling (770) 735-2695 or by clicking here.