Smoke and Soot Cleaning After a Fire

8/28/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot stains on walls after a fire damage in Amberly Village, OH

In the event of a fire in Amberly Village, OH, you are relieved when everyone has safely left your building. In the minutes to follow, however, the relief is quickly followed by the sharp fears of property damage and loss. Learning that the fire damage was minimal but smoke played a larger role, you wonder if you will be able to salvage anything from inside? Surprisingly, much of the smoke-damaged building content may be cleaned. Using dry-cleaning and other special methods, here are some common items businesses may be able to recover after smoke damage:

• Documents
• Computers
• Printers
• Industrial equipment
• Personal items and furnishings

Methods of Cleaning

Many methods can be employed for content cleaning depending on the type of damage and materials involved. These include:

• Wet cleaning methods including immersion baths and abrasive scrubs are best for highly soiled, non-porous items.
• Wipe clean methods using foam cleaners or other spray for items that can’t be submerged.
• Dry-cleaning is good for clothing and upholstery.
• Ultrasonic cleaning is great for jewelry, some computer components or appliances, and other non-porous items.

Special Cleaning Needs

Working with a restoration company that focuses efforts on recovery instead of replacement can help you save important items. If anything was water damaged, the first step is drying. Items, like computers or appliances, may even be taken apart to ensure thorough drying. Smoke residue is acidic and should be cleaned immediately after contents are dry to prevent corrosion of electrical. Special dry-cleaning techniques may be employed for items that cannot withstand traditional wet cleaning methods and ultrasonic cleaning is great for components with crevices and hard-to-reach places.

Using a proper inventory tracking system, which may include photos or barcoding, will ensure your piece of mind for content storage and cleaning. The number of items to be recovered may seem overwhelming, but the right remediation company will help remove the hassle, as well as the mess.