Why Do You Need Professional Fire Damage Restoration After A Fire?

5/4/2019 (Permalink)

Have Questions About Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Today – (610) 352-0700

Fire damage to your home can be traumatic. In addition to the destruction from heat, your property and belongings can be damaged by smoke and soot. Smoke particles can coat walls, ceilings, and almost any surface and cause permanent damage if not cleaned quickly and efficiently.
 
The particles in the smoke contain unburned carbon that can be difficult to remove after a fire. Furthermore, not all particles are alike, and it takes a multi-step process to eliminate them. It’s a job for professionals who have years of training and expertise in fire damage restoration. Here are some strategies that professionals use to get rid of smoke and soot damage from your property. 

Strategies Are Developed Based on the Type of Residue 

During the initial inspection, SERVPRO of Upper Darby’s Certified Fire Restoration Technicians will evaluate the type of smoke residue to determine the best plan of action. Types of smoke residue (soot) include:

Dry Smoke Residue

Result from smoldering fires with low heat. Residue is sticky, smeary and has a pungent odor. As dry smoke residue does not stain the surface as intensely as wet smoke residue, it is easier to remove by wiping. In these cases, our IICRC certified technicians use less aggressive methods to clean surfaces.

Wet Smoke Residue 

Result from fast burning fires at high temperatures. Residue is often dry, powdery, small, non-smeary smoke particles. Wet smoke residue is significantly harder to clean. The heat streams during a fire can drive these smoke particulates deep into cracks, crevices, and porous surfaces, further exacerbating the difficulty of cleanup. SERVPRO of Upper Darby’s technicians use a variety of methods such as wet cleaning, foam cleaning, and abrasive cleaning to mitigate the damage caused by wet smoke residues.

Protein Smoke Residue

Result from overcooked or burned meat, fish or beans. A virtually invisible residue that will break down and discolor paint and varnishes. The texture is greasy and sticks to most surfaces it comes in contact with. This residue has an extremely pungent odor. Thorough cleaning with water-based cleaning solutions can effectively clean protein smoke residue, as long as the target surface is wet cleanable and not damaged by water.

Petroleum (Fuel Oil) Smoke Residue

Results from an explosion of unburned oil in the combustion chamber of an oil-fired boiler, furnace, or water heater, commonly referred to as a furnace “puff back”. The oily residue discolors and stains surfaces. Fuel oil residue has a strong odor and can be difficult to clean. Degreasing cleaners typically work best on this type of residue.

Deodorizing

Smoke and soot pose another challenge during the restoration process—the odor. If proper precautions are not used during restoration, the odor can linger long after the fire. SERVPRO of Upper Darby’s technicians use Ultra Low Volume (ULV) foggers, heat foggers, deodorizing beads, and other methods to combat odor. Our technicians have years of experience in eliminating odor after fire of all sizes. We get your home smelling like home again in no time. 

Call SERVPRO of Upper Darby at (610) 352-0700 today to talk to one of our fire restoration experts.

Why Choose SERVPRO of Upper Darby?

SERVPRO of Upper Darby is locally owned and operated, and serves Wayne, Radnor Township, Villanova, St. Davids, Ardmore Park, Haverford Township, Havertown, Upper Darby, Lansdowne, East Lansdowne, Drexel Hill, Clifton Heights, and the surrounding Delaware County communities.

Our certified cleaning and restoration specialist are faster to any size disaster. Providing emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night.

Fire Damage Restoration Service - Water Damage Restoration Service - Water Removal -  Flood Damage Service -  Storm Damage Service - Sewage Damage & Sewage Removal Service - Mold Remediation Service - Residential & Commercial Cleaning Services - Bio-hazard Cleanup - Suicide & Crime Cleanup - Board-up and Roof Tarping