Fire – What to do first

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

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Fire – What to do first 

Homeowners and business owners may be in shock from the initial devastation.  It is important to try and follow the proper steps to achieve a complete fire restoration.  SERVPRO of South Garland has the following distinctions:  current training, safety and health certifications, vast amounts of experience in restoration projects and the proper licenses and insurance information. 

After the initial shock from the fire has passed, a person thinks, “now what do I do?”  Since the process of fire restoration can be very involved. Private homeowners and companies can oftentimes be devastated by the damage caused by this kind of event.  One aspect that gives peace of mind involves knowing when the right professional has been hired. That is one of the reasons why it is important to hire SERVPRO of South Garland; we are associated with the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.)

The first step in the process is to clean up as much of the existing area as possible. If the area is not immediately cleaned, soot residue and permanent damage can be left behind.  If the homeowner or business owner does the initial cleaning, it is important to follow these steps. When cleaning, always use dust masks and open the area for proper ventilation.  Wear gloves when packing up belonging because the oils in our skin and set the soot onto an object and it will not come clean.  Clean from the ceilings to the floors and vacuum all floors and upholstery.  Wash any items that are able to be laundered.  Clean the outside with a pressure washer if available.  

If immediate clean up is not done, it can lead to devastating effects.  Within minutes of fire and smoke damage, appliances and many items will discolor to a yellow hue.  After a few hours, acid will stain bathrooms and many other areas of the home or business.  Within days, walls will discolor permanently and items will begin to rust due to the acid residue.   Finally, after weeks the cost of clean-up will become substantially more expensive. The building and furnishings can be permanently damaged by the acid left behind.  Soot residue will be layered throughout the home or business.  For these reasons, it is vital to contact a professional associated with the IICRC to utilize fire restoration techniques in an effort to return the home or business to a preloss state.  One company or service provider should be able to handle the damage.  The seal of Certification by the Institute should be shown on any provider’s website.  This shows the customer the reliability and the expertise of the service provider.

Residue and smoky odors need to be removed immediately.  Professionals will use the process of fire restoration to achieve satisfactory results.  These providers will remove the source of the odor, clean any items that can be salvaged, get rid of any lingering odor with an odor counteracting and deodorizing fog.  Finally, the provider will seal salvageable items to encapsulate odor and prevent further re-contamination.

Homeowners and businesses that are educated in the fire restoration process are able to minimize the cost of repair. SERVPRO of South Garland should be contacted in a timely manner to return the area to a preloss state.   By hiring SERVPRO of South Garland the victims can have some peace of mind during a very stressful time.

SERVPRO of South Garland is a locally owned franchise and can be reached at (972)278-7871. We are always here to help no matter what the disaster.  We make it like it never happened.