Fire Damage Restoration Tips From IICRC
Capital Facility Services’ lead Fire Restoration Technicians have been accredited with IICRC, so you can be confident you are dealing with qualified experts.
To refurbish a smoke or fire damaged home and return it to its original condition, IICRC recommends that you contact a professional who is certified in fire and smoke damage restoration. Homeowners may be tempted to perform complete clean up on their own, but many times this can make conditions worse.
Within Minutes
Within Hours
Acid residues stain grout in bathrooms; fiberglass bath fixtures yellow; metals tarnish, counter tops may yellow; finishes on appliances, particularly refrigerators that extend into the heat line, may yellow; furniture finishes may discolor.
Within Days
In time, acid residues cause painted walls to yellow permanently; metal corrodes, pits and rusts; wood furniture requires refinishing; vinyl flooring requires refinishing or replace¬ment; clothing becomes soot stained; upholstery stains permanently.
Within Weeks
Restoration costs escalate tremendously. Synthetic carpet fibers may yellow or discolor permanently; silver plate is corroded permanently; glass, crystal, china may require replacement due to severe etching and pitting caused by prolonged exposure to acid soot residues.
In addition to the removal of residue, ridding your home of its smoky odor is necessary. Professionals use this four-step process to remove odors:
- Remove the source of the odor, including unsalvageable debris that contributes to odor generation and recontamination of cleaned and deodorized areas.
- Physical removal of odor causing residue through cleaning of salvageable surfaces and items.
- Recreate the conditions of odor penetration and apply an appropriate odor counterbalance. This is accomplished with direct application of deodorants, or by generating a deodorizing fog that seeks out and combines with the odor causing substances.
- Finally, seal salvageable surfaces that are inaccessible or slightly scorched – not only for aesthetic purposes, but primarily to encapsulate odor and prevent progressive recontamination.
Understanding the effects of a fire can help homeowners evaluate the damage to their home. By learning more about residue clean up and deodorization after a fire, you can minimize the need for costly repair. Don’t hesitate to discuss these procedures with a trained fire and smoke restoration professional, because increasing your knowledge will ensure that your home is correctly restored. Fire and smoke restoration experts can help you get your home and furnishings back to a “pre-loss” condition.