In the unfortunate event that your home is damaged by a fire, you will likely want to get started on the restoration process right away. While some homeowners attempt fire damage cleanup themselves, we caution you against using DIY (do-it-yourself) methods. Without experience with this type of mess, you could further damage your walls or hurt yourself. And this is very important: Never enter the premises to begin cleaning until the fire marshal has deemed it safe to do so!
First, we assess the type of wall we’re cleaning. Whether it’s paint, drywall, plaster, or wallpaper, the type of surface does matter with regard to how we clean up soot that has settled onto it. We will spot test the cleaning solution on the wall to be sure it won’t cause damage. And of course, if wallpaper is so damaged that it must be removed, we will perform that task first.
Then we use the correct professional equipment to remove soot and smoke stains from your walls. We utilize tools such as drop cloths, safety glasses, chemical dry-cleaning sponges, aprons, rubber gloves, and masks. In many situations ladders are required, especially if you have high ceilings, staircases, and other parts of your home that are difficult to reach.
And of course, proper ventilation is incredibly important any time humans expose themselves to chemicals. We will open windows and use fans to move air throughout the house, to protect both our workers and you in the event you need to enter the premises.
Finally, we allow your walls to thoroughly dry. And if they were exposed to excess moisture (such as from an overhead sprinkler system that activated due to the fire) we will assess for the presence of mildew and mold. Once all of these steps have been completed, it is safe to repaint the walls or replace the wallpaper.
If you do experience a home fire, remember that you don’t have to endure fire damage cleanup alone. We will work with you and your homeowners insurance company to assess the damage, make repairs, and get your home back to normal as quickly as possible.
