Cleaning Up After a Fire

If a house sustains fire damage, proper cleanup is crucial since the ash, soot and water will wreak havoc on what remains. It’s bad enough there was a fire, but the water and chemicals used to extinguish it can cause secondary damage. The remnants will continue to do damage long after the flames are extinguished. Conventional cleaning methods include renting a steam cleaner and using common cleaning products available at the store. Unfortunately, this could cause bigger issues. Chemical agents could react with the residue and cause permanent damage, and in some cases, cause toxic fumes. Fire damage cleanup is one of the most difficult jobs out there and might require professional service to restore the home.

Smoke particles are incredibly small and may be smaller than .01 microns in size.

This is typically too small for standard residential air filters to catch. If the smoke particles are allowed to settle inside the home’s walls, they will create odors that are difficult to track down. Smoke is also acidic in nature, so it will slowly deteriorate various materials within the home. Therefore, a homeowner should contact a professional fire damage restorer as soon as possible; acting quickly is the best defense in reversing the damage.

Removing smoke and soot requires the proper machinery and expertise.

Homeowners should only consider professionals who have been certified through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or IICRC. This agency has overseen the certification of fire damage restoration companies for decades and is responsible for regularly updating the best practices in the industry. Technicians with IICRC certification are aware of the most advanced techniques and technologies in the industry. They are among the most knowledgeable members of their field.

The fire may be gone, but the ash, soot and smoke odors that remain can continue to do harm. Certified firms will use their knowledge of fire restoration to accurately test the damage and apply the proper repair techniques to bring the items back to a pre-loss condition when possible.

Contact reputable fire restoration services immediately after the flames die down.

The acidic ash residue left behind by the disaster will make a bad situation even worse if it is not removed within a few days, and the only way to do so is with a thorough cleaning. This isn’t an undertaking that home or business owners are equipped to handle on their own, and professionals have access to special equipment and cleaning products to make the job much easier.

Fire restoration services have the manpower to quickly approach a full-scale cleanup.

During cleanup, the technicians will treat walls, ceilings and anything else that has been affected by ash. If smoke odors are present, and they usually are, they will also require removal to make it possible for people to inhabit the building once again. Smoke odors, though, are extremely hard to remove and can’t be done with standard equipment. Fortunately, experienced firms keep thermal foggers and other sophisticated odor removal equipment on hand to counter noxious smoke odors. They can reach into all parts of the home, including inside floors and walls.

Consult About New Cleaning Methods

Ultrasonic cleaning is a rapid process of complete removal of contaminants from objects by immersing them in a tank of liquid while high-frequency sound waves create a scrubbing brush-like action. Ultrasonic technology has changed the contents cleaning industry by making precision cleaning faster, safer, and less expensive. Ultrasonic cleaning greatly surpasses the results of traditional cleaning methods, for everything from medical instruments to precious antiques. Non-toxic ultrasonic bubbles remove microscopic contaminants in the tiniest crevices. This type of contents cleaning process doesn’t require harsh chemicals or hand cleaning.

Fire Damage

Experiencing a fire in your home or business can be devastating, and we understand that this can be a difficult time for you. Our team of trained technicians will respond to emergencies immediately to assess the most effective process for restoration and we keep you informed along every step of the way.

Our team has years of experience in restoring homes after disasters, and we help families and business owners return to normal. With fire damage, it is important to work quickly to reduce additional damages and losses, and our goal is to restore your property as quickly and efficiently as possible, while still delivering the quality craftsmanship and customer service you have come to expect from Clean Masters.

24/7 Emergency Response

Damages resulting from a fire will continue to accumulate as time passes, and a prompt response is essential for reducing your losses. Our team is available 24/7 and will get to work immediately securing your property and mitigating additional damages. Our qualified, trained technicians will assess the most effective process for restoration and we keep you informed along every step of the way.

You Have a Choice

When you contact your insurance company before contacting a reliable cleaning and restoration company you may suffer from negative consequences that you may not be aware of. Most insurance companies have a list of contractors that they work with on a regular basis. The relationship your insurance company forms with these 3rd party contractors often leads to the contractors having the insurance companies’ best interests in mind, and not yours. Fortunately, you do have the right to choose which cleaning and restoration company you want to use. That means you can choose to work with a reliable company like Clean Masters who have your best interests in mind, and your insurance company can’t fight you on it.

WHAT IS RUINED? IS THIS FLOOD DAMAGE COVERED?

Perhaps it was a surprise storm damaging an old roof. Or a burst pipe in the laundry room. Or the neighbors above ground pool springing a leak and flooding your basement. You have a serious situation!  Address the two problems simultaneously: a) clean up the house and b) consult your insurance agent. Don’t forget to contact a professional restoration company like Clean Masters for quality and qualified assistance!

Immediate Actions to Lessen Damage

Flood waters contain many contaminants and lots of mud. High dollar items can get ruined, even with just an inch of water. After a flood, cleaning up is a long and hard process. Here is a list of common techniques for sorting, sanitizing, and cleaning flooded items:

In the kitchen, scrub hard surfaces with hot water and a heavy-duty cleaner. Then disinfect with a solution of 1/4 cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water (use gloves to protect your hands) or a product that is labeled as a disinfectant to kill germs. Anything “soft” should be thrown out: cardboard containers of food, rolls of paper towels, kitchen towels.

Furniture and household items will take the most time to sort. Take furniture, rugs, bedding, and clothing outside to dry as soon as possible. Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to remove moisture or open at least two windows to ventilate with outdoor air. Use fans to circulate air in the house. If mold and mildew have already developed, brush off items outdoors to prevent scattering spores in the house. Vacuum floors, ceilings, and walls to remove mildew, then wash with disinfectant. Wear a two-strap protective mask to prevent breathing mold spores.

Upholstered furniture soaks up contaminants from floodwaters and should be cleaned only by a professional. Mattresses should be thrown away. Wood veneered furniture is usually not worth the cost and effort of repair. Solid wood furniture can usually be restored unless damage is severe.

Photographs, books and important papers can be frozen and cleaned later. They should be dried carefully and slowly. Wash the mud off and store the articles in plastic bags and put them in a frost-free freezer to protect from mildew and further damage until you have time to thaw and clean them or take them to a professional.

Heating and cooling systems and ducts will need inspection and cleaning. Flood-soaked insulation should be replaced.

Appliances will get stains, odors, silt deposits, and gritty deposits and need to be serviced, cleaned and sanitized. Running equipment before it is properly cleaned could seriously damage it and/or shock you. Professional cleaning is recommended for electronics, TVs and radios, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners. The hard exterior can be hand cleaned. All metallic appliances that have been flooded should be properly grounded to prevent electric shock. Mud or dirt in a grounded outlet or adapter may prevent the grounding system from working, and you could be electrocuted.

Floors, walls, and carpets are best assessed by a professional. Quickly make appointments for estimates, optimistically within 24 hours. Clean Masters can get to Summerville and the surrounding areas quickly.

And Now to the Legal Ramifications

Call your insurance agent at the same time that you start to clean. If your policy covers the damage, your agent will coordinate an adjuster to contact you. Many agencies have additional resources to help you in a crunch.

List damage and take photos or videotape as you clean. You’ll need complete records for insurance claims, applications for disaster assistance and income tax deductions. Keep snapping photos on your phone, capturing damage as well as serial numbers.

Homeowners insurance does not cover all types of water damage, however.

Damage from unresolved maintenance issues: While your insurance will probably help cover the cost of replacing or repairing a damaged floor if your dishwasher suddenly goes on the fritz, coverage generally will not kick in if the damage results from an unresolved maintenance issue, such as continuous leaking near a faucet or other plumbing fixture.

Replacing or repairing the source of the water damage: Most insurance policies will not cover the source of the water damage. So while your policy may cover the cost of tearing out and replacing that damaged floor, you shouldn’t expect it to cover the cost of replacing your broken dishwasher or washing machine.

Water backup from an outside sewer or drain: You also will not typically be covered by a traditional homeowner’s policy if water backs into your home through an outside sewer or drain.

Flood: No type of flood damage, no matter the source of the water, is covered by standard homeowner’s policies. Flooding is the term encompassing storms, over-saturated ground, overflowing or surging bodies of water such as rivers, ponds, lakes, and oceans. Purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program might be a wise investment, depending on your risk situation.

MOLD MYTHS BUSTED!

When it comes to mold, there are a lot of opinions and assumptions that are made based on what is and isn’t dangerous, how it should be handled, and what will kill it. A lot of these assumptions, however, prove to be false. Mold is dangerous and it is important to understand the truth. Here are a few common mold myths that prove to be just that.

Mold is Natural, You Shouldn’t Worry About it

While mold may be natural, consistent exposure to mold can have an extremely negative effect on one’s health as well as weaken the walls or ceilings in your building causing a safety hazard. Weak structures can be hard to spot and, most of time, can go unnoticed until it is too late. If mold is growing in your home or place of business, it needs to be safely removed by a qualified professional to ensure that it is completely gone with no further hazards.

A Small Amount of Mold is Nothing to Worry About

Really, the opposite is true. If even a small amount of mold is visibly growing on surfaces in your home, you definitely have something to worry about. Mold is a lot like an iceberg, you generally only see the tip of it while the majority remains unseen and below the surface. If you see a little bit of mold you most likely have more growing under the surface and out of site and will require remediation.

Fix it With Bleach

A lot of times mold begins growing on walls, ceilings, carpets and other surfaces because these surfaces are porous and retain moisture, creating a cozy living space where mold can thrive. Bleach is made to be effective on hard, non-porous surfaces since it isn’t made to go beneath. However, mold spores spread roots and can go deep beneath a porous surface.  Therefore, using a cleaner that will be unable to reach the mold at its roots will be ineffective. Bleach may kill the visible mold, but it can’t totally eradicate it.

If it Isn’t Black, You Can Relax

Black mold can cause various problems and is typically the mold people most associate with being dangerous. However, all mold can be threatening and has the possibility of causing allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Just because your mold isn’t black does not mean it can’t hurt you. You should hire a mold remediation company to completely remove any mold you find in your home.

Mold is Easy to Remove and You Should do it Yourself

While you Might be able to clean up and remove small quantities and certain kinds of mold, most people are not equipped with the right instruments and training to perform a proper mold remediation. Getting rid of the visible, fuzzy spores and disposing of the evidence of mold by wiping it off or with a chemical cleaner, such as bleach, will not completely solve your problem. Mold removal requires identifying the cause of the growth and isolating it to prevent more spores from growing, cleaning or removing the affected surfaces all the way down to the roots, all while remaining safe with the appropriate protective gear and without causing the surfaces to collapse on top of you. Mold remediation is high risk and should be handled by a trained professional to ensure it is performed properly.