Tips for Cleaning up After a Home Fire

12/7/2017 (Permalink)

Tips for Cleaning up After a Home Fire

Your home in Austin, Texas is the place where your family gathers and makes memories. After a home fire, it is devastating to see the smoke damage to your once beautiful home. However, instead of reminiscing about the past, you have to get to work. After the local fire authorities say it’s safe to re-enter your home, there are a few things that increase the likelihood of successful restoration. Additionally, consult a local fire restoration company with experts in smoke cleaning who know how to handle soot damage.

1. Water Removal

Firefighters use large amounts of water to save your home from flames. Water removal is best left to the professionals as specialized knowledge and equipment is necessary to get the job done. A water pump and press extractor are the two basic items needed for removing water. The more power the water pump has, the better. With a press extractor, you might be able to save your carpets.

2. Categorizing

Next, you need to assess the smoke damage objectively and strategically. When going through your belongings, you don’t have time to get sentimental. Take photos of everything for the insurance company. Dump the cheap items and set aside the more expensive items if they are restorable. Do the same with furniture and carpets. If there’s water damage, it can be wise to just replace these items, as mold could get to them. Empty rooms to allow for a more accurate assessment of the structural damage.

3. Soot Removal

Part of smoke damage is soot, the black substance left by the smoke of the fire. The ideal cleaning agent is one that contains trisodium phosphate. To get the job done right, it’s recommended to let professionals deal with this. Restoration experts can also help you get rid of the smoke smell much more effectively than you would be able to with a box fan.

As devastating as a home fire in Austin, Texas is, it’s important to assess the damage and start the cleanup process early. Bear in mind these tips, and reach out to a restoration company for effective restoration of your home. Visit http://www.SERVPROhydeparkcentralaustin.com for more information on fire damage.