At this website, the smoke damage restoration professionals at ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons are happy to provide you with helpful information that’s useful for protecting your business from fire, smoke, and water damage in Oak Park, IL.
With that goal in mind, listed below are several useful recommendations from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification for do-it-yourselfers on how to best clean up after a fire has caused smoke damage to your property. Of course, the most important key to nullifying property damage from smoke is to act immediately. That’s because smoke and soot travel quickly throughout a building, attacking and penetrating paint, plastic, carpet, upholstery, wood, and other belongings within seconds, minutes, and hours.
Before we list some tips for cleaning up smoke damage, remember that calling the smoke damage restoration professionals at ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is the most effective way to have smoke damage cleaned up quickly, professionally, thoroughly, and permanently. Our team members will work effectivity and tirelessly to return your property to its pre-loss condition as soon as possible.
- When cleaning up smoke damage, always put safety first. During the cleanup process, wear gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, and pants to avoid skin contact with smoke and soot. Wear personal protective gear, such as a dust mask, to avoid breathing in ash and other nasty airborne particulates.
- Do not touch anything during your first inspection to prevent transferring soot from item to item.
- Ventilate the area by opening windows and doors and/or installing box fans in the windows to remove soot and odor.
- Remove burned debris to the outside to reduce odors and hasten the cleanup process.
- Clean or remove all contents as quickly as possible and in order of value.
- Install dehumidifiers to control moisture in the air, especially where water was used to extinguish the fire.
- Quickly clean all plastic surfaces, such as PVC windows, and white painted surfaces using a mild-alkali detergent to remove possible acidic soot, which may activate with moisture in the air to cause permanent damage.
- Wipe all metallic finishes with cooking oil to prevent rust and staining.
- Do not wash drapes or other material that may require the assistance of a specialized dry cleaner.
Finally, do not hesitate to seek professional help from a reputable smoke damage restoration company, such as ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons. We’re on call 24/7 at 773-376-1110, and our experienced and certified staff will work quickly, thoroughly, and efficiently to remove soot and smoke from your property.