Smoke damage repair and other fire damage repair jobs need the
expertise and guaranteed quality service of a ServiceMaster professional,
available 24 hours a day.
ServiceMaster
specializes in the cleaning and repair of home and commercial
property that has suffered smoke damage and fire damage, including
furnishings, contents, floor coverings, and walls. Insurance adjusters
recognize ServiceMaster as a trusted partner when dealing with
fire and smoke damage repair situations.
Our
national network of highly trained fire and smoke damage repair
professionals guarantees a rapid response to your call, at a fair
price, with the job done quickly and expertly.
To find
a ServiceMaster Clean Fire and Smoke Damage Repair Representative
near you,
please make a selection from our drop down lists above.
MORE
ABOUT THE FIRE / SMOKE RESTORATION PROCESS
Everyone understands the destruction a fire can do. ServiceMaster
understands the damage that can be done after the fire is out.
Much of the material found in furniture, flooring and appliances
is synthetic. When burned, synthetics create a variety of complex
chemical reactions. After a few days, these items go from cleanable
to unsalvageable.
The professionals of ServiceMaster are experts in understanding
the chemical combinations that can effectively clean and salvage
belongings. They can even remove soot from fabrics in upholstery,
carpets and clothes, thus helping to avoid additional expenses.
We use the latest equipment and supplies in our four-step fire
and smoke damage restoration process:
- Emergency
pre-cleaning
- Content
cleaning
- Content
pack-out
- Wall and
ceiling cleaning deodorization
Understanding the Chemistry of Fire
The chemistry of fire is a series of complex reactions, sometimes
involving well over 100 chemical elements. The many different
substances that can fuel a fire and the different resulting chemical
reactions that take place mean that fires may be very different
in their cause, their composition and their waste. Mitigation
professionals must understand the chemistry of each fire in order
to react appropriately and to effectively restore the area.
Fires are classified into two groups: simple and complex. Simple
fires result in complete combustion and are usually fueled by
relatively pure fuel, producing no soot and only small amounts
of gasses, fumes and smoke. Complex fires, on the other hand,
are the result of incomplete combustion and are fueled by synthetic
materials, including those found in many toys, carpets, furniture,
clothing, plumbing and bathroom equipment. As complex fires cause
the most damage and leave the most waste, they are usually those
handled by disaster restoration professionals like ServiceMaster.
Acids Cause Permanent Damage
In a complex fire, the acid gases combine with heat and water
vapour and penetrate cracks and crevices. When the surfaces cool,
the gases condense and form high corrosive solutions.
These solutions can permanently etch and stain many sensitive
surfaces, including machinery and tools, precision instruments,
household appliances, and marble, glass and aluminum surfaces.
In addition, salts produced when acids mix with metal can cause
further damage to a metal surface. An example of this is the corrosion
on cars from salty snow and ice treatments.
Another common product of a fire is soot, which is comprised of
carbon and other materials that are incompletely burned or oxidized.
Some soot particles are dry and can be vacuumed effectively, but
most are combined with grease and oils and can not be vacuumed.
These situations require an alkaline solution that reacts with
the oil or grease and releases carbon particles, creating a water-soluble
product that can be washed away with water.
Other soot deposits, depending on their chemical make-up and the
surface on which they rest, may demand physical removal with a
putty knife or similar instrument.
Even though the chemistry of each fire may be different, the most
important thing is to dry out the area as soon as possible to
avoid further damage caused by acids and contaminants. A careful
consideration of the materials and surfaces affected will then
provide an understanding of the fire’s chemistry and allow for
a targeted and informed restoration effort.
Fire Prevention Tactics
Fires can begin anywhere, but two areas in your home pose the
biggest fire threat; the kitchen and the garage. You can reduce
your risk of fire in these vulnerable places with the following
precautions:
- Use only
Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) approved
appliances and tools.
- Check regularly
for frayed or worn power cords or plugs, and replace them immediately.
- Do not
operate appliances, switches or outlets with wet hands.
- Never
plug in more appliances than a socket is designed to handle.
- Do not
store flammable items over the stove.
- Turn pot
handles inward so children can not pull them down.
- Keep a
fire extinguisher on a wall near the stove.
- Keep areas
around stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers clean to prevent
dust particles from igniting.
- Keep trash
and other items away from the furnace or water heater, preferably
stored in sealed containers.
- Check heating
equipment annually.
- Store gasoline
and flammables in tight metal containers, away from the house,
never near heating equipment or pilot light.
Smoke and Fire Damage
In the event that smoke and fire do invade your home, it is important
to take the appropriate action to prevent further damage. Here
are some helpful dos and don’ts to aid in the restoration process.
Dos
- Blow off
or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes
and carpets.
- Cover carpeted
traffic areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional
soiling.
- Discard
open food packages. The food could be contaminated.
- If electrical
service is off, clean out your freezer and refrigerator.
- Leave the
door propped open or place charcoal in the unit.
- Send clothing
with heavy smoke damage to a qualified professional dry cleaner.
- Clean Formica
and chrome fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom to prevent permanent
tarnishing.
- Wipe residue
from porcelain bath fixtures to prevent etching.
- Wipe the
leaves of house plants to remove smoke residue.
- Change
the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
- Tape cheesecloth
over intake and outlet air registers to capture any loose soot
in the air.
- This is
even more effective if the cheesecloth is damp.
- If the
outside temperature is above 15 degrees, air out the house to
reduce smoke odour.
Don’ts
- Do not
attempt to wash any papered or flat painted walls without consulting
your professional cleaner. Incorrect
cleaning procedures could compound the soot residue problem.
- Do not
attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture. Again, incorrect
procedures could increase damage.
- Do not
use electrical appliances that have been close to fire or water
before having them checked. They could malfunction.
- Do not
use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. A short circuit
could result.
- Do not
touch anything. Soot on your hands can permeate upholstery,
walls and woodwork, causing further damage.
- Do not
eat food that has been exposed to fire or smoke.
- Do not
wait to call for professional help.
To find
a ServiceMaster Clean Fire and Smoke
Damage Repair Representative near you,
please make a selection from our drop down lists HERE.
>>
TOP
