Homeowners can experience unfortunate fire and smoke damage more commonly in their homes than people think. There are a number of ways a fire can ignite a home; common sources include electrical fires, clothes dryer vent fires, leaving candles/incense/cigarettes and other similar products unattended, space heaters falling over, kitchen fires, and fireplace fires being uncontrolled. With endless possibilities, the likelihood of experiencing a house fire is tragically high. No matter if it was a minor fire with some smoke residues, or a more severe fire leaving damage, soot, and smoke corrosion, you need trusted professionals to help you combat the aftermath. Today, we at American Hometown Services, Inc would like to take the opportunity to elaborate on fire & smoke damage remediation basics.

Fire Damage Cleaning, Smoke Odor Removal & More

With the stress being nearly unbearable, many feel defeated and with overwhelming chaos fire and smoke can leave in its wake. When it comes to the aftermath of fire/smoke damage, hiring a reputable professional is essential for efficient cleaning, sanitizing, deodorizing, and removal. Restoring the home afterwards needs to be done with attention to detail. Not only is there initial damage done from the fire and/or smoke exposure, but the longer it resides the more damage continues. The additional damage only continues as the minutes, hours, days, and weeks tick by. Below is a timeline breakdown of how the residual smoke and fire damage.

Fire, Soot & Smoke Damage Timeline

Minutes after the fire: A residue of soot is left on the surface and soot has acidic components. Permanent discoloration is highly likely along porous materials, such as marble for example. Also, plastics will yellow and the small appliances will discolor as well.
Days after the fire: Permanent staining occurs on upholstery, the wood furniture’s finish is compromised, metal will corrode and develop rust, and the acidic results will cause the paint on the walls will yellow.
Weeks after the fire: With heavier cost replacements and repairs, waiting weeks after the incident will force an extensive restoration process. The glass, crystal, and china will severely etch, and pitting occurs with prolonged exposure, synthetic carpets yellow and discolor, irreversible corrosion happens on silver plates due to the acidic nature in soot and smoke residues.

Soot Removal & Cleaning

When working with a professional, the first thing they do is remove all the soot. The soot residue and vapors course through the air flow during the combustion, where it deposits layers onto surfaces, causing buildup. Once the residual smoke and soot are effectively cleaned, odors are addressed next.

Fire & Smoke Odor Neutralizing & Removal

Odor generation and recontamination of cleaned and deodorized materials come from unsalvageable debris and materials. Professional use effective odor neutralizers to ensure the odor molecules are eliminated from salvageable materials and belongings.

Cleaning Up & Sanitizing After a House Fire

Removing the odor inducing residues from the surface are done efficiently proper cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing with appropriate cleaners and equipment.

Fire, Soot & Smoke Damage Restoration & More in Quincy, Macomb, Hamilton, Warsaw & East Alton Illinois | Hannibal, Missouri

If you need assistance cleaning after smoke/fire damage call in the certified experts of American Hometown Services, Inc and let our professionals help you during this time.