California is truly an attractive place. The state’s enviable weather and beautiful landscaping tend to draw one to the area, though both serve as significant risks for smoke damage to homes and businesses. From the devastating intensity of huge wildfires that sweep through the area to small home fires, dealing with the aftermath of smoke damage can be quite overwhelming. Smoke is a complex mix of gases, vaporized particles, and soot that can infiltrate every inch of your property, leaving a residual odor, discoloration, and potential health hazard.
At Specialty Aquatic Tile Cleaning, we understand the disastrous effects of smoke damage on your property and well-being. We are staffed with highly experienced employees and have dedicated ourselves to providing unmatched quality and comprehensive smoke-damage cleanup services to restore your home or business to its pre-loss condition.
- Smoke is insidious and can impact health.
- Smoke requires professional cleanup.
- DIY smoke cleanup is quite the process and specialized equipment and knowledge are required.
- Specialty Aquatic Tile Cleaning offers comprehensive Smoke Damage Restoration.
- Cleanup includes safety, assessment, cleaning, odor removal, and restoration.
What do You Know About Smoke Damage?
Smoke damage isn’t just about the visible soot damage and ash. The various types of smoke come from different sources of fire; wet smoke comes from low-heat, smoldering fires and is quite sticky, making it difficult to clean. It leaves an odor since it attaches itself to anything it touches. Dry smoke results from high-heat fires and is less sticky than wet smoke but can still yield discoloration, etching, and soot damage. This odor can linger for a long time after the fire goes out because it permeates most textiles, upholstery, and porous items.
DIY vs. Professional Smoke Damage Cleanup
While there are some do-it-yourself methods for cleaning up smoke damage to follow, severe damage is not advised to be a do-it-yourself project. Smoke particles penetrate deeply into materials. Thus, they cause hidden damage that is tough to manage without professional help. Smoke damage could very well compromise the structure of your home by not being totally cleaned, and that, in turn, could lead to very costly repairs.
Professional fire damage restoration companies, such as Specialty Aquatic Tile Cleaning, have the expertise, experience, and equipment needed to deal with even the toughest smoke damage. We can assess the extent of the destruction, develop a complete fire damage restoration plan, and help you negotiate with your insurance company to make the claiming process easier.
DIY Fire and Smoke Cleanup
Safety
First of all, before you commence any restoration work, be sure of your safety during and after the cleanup activity. Put on your protective clothing, which may consist of gloves, masks, or goggles. Also, ensure ventilation by opening windows and doors to allow free flow of fresh air. If you smell smoke, evacuate the area immediately.
Initial Assessment and Plan of Action
Evaluate the extent of the damage to create a plan of action. Pay attention to areas with loose edges, like wallpaper, as they might need special care. Prioritize cleaning based on the severity of damage and the importance of the affected areas.
Cleaning and Restoration Techniques:
- Soot and ash
First, vacuum with a HEPA vacuum cleaner to remove loose soot and ash. Dry chemical sponges or a solution of one gallon of warm water and mild detergent may be used on hard surface soot stains. Keep in mind that just a little bit of the sponge will go a long way toward cleaning a small area.
- Eliminate smoke odor
Smoke in a house can be really smelly. A solution of white vinegar mixed with hot water can help to clean and remove odors from surfaces. You can use a baking soda solution with cold water for treating fabrics. For heavy odors, investigate commercial methods of removing smoke odor, such as ozone generators or thermal fogging.
- Surface Cleaning
Washable wallpaper can be cleaned with a mild detergent solution from top to bottom in light strokes to avoid streaking. For tougher stains on hard surfaces, you can prepare a solution of bleach (1/2 cup bleach per gallon of warm water) after first testing its use on a small, inconspicuous section. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using cleaning products.
- Fabric and upholstery cleaning
Dry clean or launder washable fabrics and upholstery. For non-washable items, consider professional upholstery cleaning services.
- Restoration and repair
Once the cleaning is complete, assess the need for repairs or restoration. This may involve repainting walls with a stain-blocking primer to cover soot and nicotine stains, replacing damaged drywall, or refinishing furniture. You might also need to replace items that are beyond cleaning, such as carpets and drapes that have absorbed the smoke odor.
- Additional tips
- For stubborn stains on surfaces like Formica countertops, you can try a commercial paste made for removing tough stains.
- Dispose of any cleaning rags or sponges immediately after use to prevent the spread of soot and smoke residue.
- If you have any concerns about mold growth after the fire, contact a professional mold remediation specialist.
Specialty Aquatic Tile Cleaning: Your Partner in Restoration
At Specialty Aquatic Tile Cleaning, our expertise goes beyond pool tile cleaning and repair. We are a full-service restoration company specializing in fire and smoke damage restoration, water damage cleanup, and mold remediation.
Our team is equipped to handle all aspects of smoke damage cleanup, from initial assessment to final restoration. We use state-of-the-art equipment and proven techniques to ensure a thorough and efficient cleanup process.
Don’t Let Smoke Damage Linger. Call Us Today!
If your home or business has been affected by smoke damage, don’t hesitate to contact Specialty Aquatic Tile Cleaning. We offer free consultations and estimates, and our team is ready to help you restore your property to its pre-loss condition. Let us take care of the cleanup so you can focus on rebuilding and moving forward.