Odor Removal After Fire Damage

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

A fire will affect everything in your home or business due to the heat, soot, and smoke. You’ll need the assistance of professionals who have the expertise and equipment that is needed to get your work or personal space back to normal as soon as possible. You won’t want to enter your home or business until all the smoke is cleared from your premises, since it won’t be healthy to breathe the accompanying fumes from burned materials; hiring a professional fire and smoke damage restoration contractor right away will ensure that your property is completely free from the after-effects of the fire as soon as possible. This type of company can also remove those unpleasant lingering odors, and that is important for both home and business owners, too. 

Remove All Sources Of The Odor

The first and most important step in smoke odor removal is to remove all sources of the odor. This will include removing items that have been burned, such as cabinets, furniture, drywall, and anything that is non-salvageable. The items can then be either discarded or restored, depending on their condition.

Clean Thoroughly

Professional technicians will clean the salvageable items with the appropriate products. They pressure wash, scrub, and disinfect exterior surfaces like walls, windows, and decks, while interior walls and hard surfaces can be cleaned with mild soap and then rinsed thoroughly. Professionals will also clean inside cabinets, drawers, and closets, and wash household items, too. Carpets, furniture, and upholstery are usually cleaned off-site. All these steps should be taken right away so that the odors don’t penetrate any materials deeply - this makes them much harder to get rid of later. 

Odor Removal

Smoke, soot, and odors from a fire will penetrate the duct system and any dust or other particles existing inside the system. Cleaning the ducts early in the odor removal process is therefore essential to prevent the HVAC system from re-contaminating areas that have been cleaned. Professionals should be tasked with cleaning the ductwork, as it involves specialized equipment and procedures that are only available to them. 

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries; our SERVPRO professionals study IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and other cleaning and restoration courses to ensure that our clients receive the highest quality results possible. 

Here at SERVPRO of North Nashville, we are experts in handling the after-effects of a fire or flooding event, and we can help with mold remediation, too. Ask us about getting your home or business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned! This franchise is independently owned and operated.