Restoring your home after a fire
Fires can erupt in homes or places of business for any number of reasons. Curling irons left on, neglected cigarette butts, electric blankets, flammable material next to electric heaters, electrical outlets, short circuits in the wall, faulty wiring and defective appliances, including lamps and toasters may all be unsuspecting culprits. Besides the direct damage inflicted by fire, smoke and heat can worsen the impact, leaving odours, stains and warped furniture in their wake. Different types of smoke can be emitted from a fire, each causing a specific type of damage. For instance, wet smoke resulting from a low heat fire will leave a very pungent odour and thick soot on surfaces of the affected area. There are also other types of smoke, including dry smoke, fuel oil smoke and protein smoke. Each must be treated accordingly.
Smoke and heat affect the many things in your home differently. If the cleaning of these materials is handled improperly, the resulting damage can be irreparable. Clothing and upholstery, including carpets, rugs and curtains are perfect materials for absorbing odours and collecting soot. These elements must be properly cleared before an effective cleaning. There are many commercial products specifically designed for fire damage restoration, including chemical deodorants and steam-cleaning detergents.
The best advice is to call a remediation specialist. They know how to prevent further damage to your home, and have the necessary equipment to accomplish any type of restoration operation. They also possess proven techniques to remove smoke and soot from your home and belongings. They are your best chance at returning your property to original condition. On the other hand, if you are the victim of a fire suffering only minor damages, and are looking to salvage your property, here is what you must do;
Carpets
Soot
Should you be dealing with small amounts of soot, start by removing the loose stuff resting on the carpet fibres. Vacuuming will help you get rid of most of the loose soot. Before you start cleaning the soot stain, scrape the affected area with a spoon to loosen the remaining soot, and vacuum once more. Sprinkle baking soda, cornstarch, or other absorbing material on the stain. Let stand at least one hour, and vacuum again. Apply a cleaning solvent on the stain, and let it sit according to the directions on the stain remover. Blot the stained area with a clean cloth or sponge. Once you’ve blotted as much as you can, rinse the stained area with cold water while being careful not to wet the carpet’s underpad. Dry the area by opening all doors and windows, and by placing a fan next to the affected area. If the stain persists, repeat the procedure. If the result is still the same after several tries, replace your carpet, or call a remediation specialist.
Smoke
Getting rid of the smell of smoke from carpet can be tricky. There is a high risk of staining the carpet with the washing liquids you wish to use. Your best bet is to get the job done professionally. Specialists have access to a range of heavy-duty products for cleaning carpets and removing unwanted smells. Should you want to solve the problem yourself, try cleaning the surface with vinegar and rinsing with clean water. The acid in the vinegar neutralizes the smoke smell. With a bit of luck, this should take care of minor smoke odour issues.
You can also buy any good brand of baking soda and sprinkle areas affected with unwanted smoke smell. Let the baking soda sit for at least 24 hours so that it may soak up the odour. Then vacuum to clean it up. If the smell persists, repeat the process several times. If the result is still the same after several attempts, replace your carpet or call a remediation specialist.
Kitchenware
Soot
To remove soot from kitchenware, prepare a standard cleaning solution using hot water and regular dishwashing soap. Scrub your pots, pans, flatware and utensils thoroughly with a nylon scrubbing pad. Rinse everything with clear water and polish with a fine-powdered cleaner. For copper and brass cookware, sprinkle salt on a clean cloth saturated with vinegar, and scrub the entire surface. To clean the inside, fill the item with half a cup of baking soda and water, and then boil. Most of the burned part should slide right off. Scrub the remaining soot with a scrubbing pad.
Clothes
Soot
Remove as much soot as possible before beginning the cleaning process. Hang your clothes on an outside clothing line, and stretch the garment while smacking the backside of the stain with a rod. Once this is done, you can start the cleaning process. Keep in mind that different kinds of clothes require specific washing methods. Some clothes must be dry-cleaned because of fibre content or dyes used in the fabric. Sort washable clothes by colour. Most clothes are made from cotton, polyester or a mix of both. Wash clothes in the washing machine with lukewarm water, and use the recommended amount of powdered laundry detergent. Add half a cup of non-chlorine bleach suitable for coloured fabrics. Once the washing is done, put your nose to work by smelling every piece of garment to check if there is a lingering smoke smell. If so, wash again. Heavily soiled clothes will most likely need several washings. Hang clothes outdoor to dry and remove smoke odours.
Smoke
Even after a few washes, it is possible that smoke odours linger in your clothes if not properly deodorized by a specialist. Some dry cleaners use a deodorizing process that actually breaks up the smoke molecule to eliminate odour. This process is called ozone treatment. In most cases the ozone treatment is done in your house, and your clothes are deodorized in an ozone room. The professionals place your clothes in a tent with an ozone generator. The ozone treatment is reputed to be an effective method for ridding clothing of smoke. If your clothes are infested with smoke, you should have them deodorized before cleaning. Smoke odour sets in the fabric of clothes cleaned before deodorization, leaving them permanently smelly. Check with dry-cleaners in your area to see if they provide ozone treatment.
Furniture
Soot
First try removing as much soot from the furniture as possible. Rent a vacuum from a local hardware store and clean all the soot you can. Be sure to hold the vacuum´s nozzle at least half an inch above the soot-covered surface, otherwise you risk smearing the soot stain. Take out the furniture´s removable parts, including drawers, knobs and panels, to let them air out. Mix a bucket of hot water and household cleaning detergent and wash the furniture’s surfaces with a stiff brush. Use a clean cloth to dry. If your furniture is not too heavy and weather allows, take it outside for drying. If you can´t move your furniture outside, use fans, heaters, humidifiers, or open doors and windows to circulate air. To remove white smoke spots, mix a solution of one part ammonia with one part water. Dry again, and polish with furniture wax.
Smoke
The best way to air-out smoke-damaged furniture is by moving it outside on a clear, sunny day. If your furniture is too heavy to move, open all doors and windows, and use fans to circulate air. Most of the smoke odour will gradually seep out of porous wood and fabric. Next, sprinkle baking soda on the upholstered parts and let sit for 24 to 48 hours. Baking soda absorbs odours and removes the stench from furniture fabric. Remove the baking soda with a vacuum cleaner. You may have to repeat this process until the odour is completely gone. You can also use smoke odour removers available at local hardware stores. Before using such products, read the instructions to make sure they will not damage fabric.
Note: never use furniture wax or polish before the smoke smell is completely gone. Wax and polish trap odours in the wood, releasing them again once the wax fades.
Upholstery
Soot
It is best to seek the services of a professional remediation specialist for upholstered furniture heavily coated with soot. If your furniture is only slightly stained with soot, you can try removing it yourself. First remove as much soot as possible from the furniture. Rent a vacuum from a local hardware store and clean all the soot you can. Be sure to hold the vacuum´s nozzle at least half an inch above the soot-covered surface, otherwise you risk smearing the soot stain. Next, sprinkle baking soda, cornstarch, or other absorbing material on the soot stains. Let stand at least one hour, and vacuum again. Apply a cleaning solvent on the stain, and let sit according to the directions on the stain remover. Blot the stained area with a clean cloth or sponge. Once you’ve blotted as much as you can, rinse the stained area with cold water. Dry the upholstery by opening all doors and windows, and by placing a fan next to it. If the stain persists, repeat the procedure. If the result is still the same after several attempts, call a remediation specialist.
Smoke
Begin by sprinkling baking soda on the upholstery, and let sit for 24 to 48 hours. Baking soda absorbs odours, removing stench from furniture fabric. Vacuum the baking soda. You may have to repeat this process until the odour is completely gone. You can also use smoke odour removers available at local hardware stores. Before using such products, read the instructions to be certain fabric will not be damaged. Then mix a solution of one part mild household soap to five part water to completely neutralize the smoke smell. Wait a few minutes before scrubbing the stained area with a soft bristle brush or old toothbrush. Blot the area with a soft clean cloth. Repeat this process several times, or until the smoke odour is completely gone.
Ceilings
It is imperative to protect yourself with rubber gloves, goggles and face masks. To move about safely, clear the room of objects and furniture. Take down curtains, picture frames, posters and wall decorations, and place them in another room. Cover objects too heavy to move with a plastic sheet or tarp. Also, cover the floor to protect it from the cleaning solution and falling soot. Fill a bucket with one gallon of warm water. Add half a cup of trisodium phosphate and one cup of bleach to the mix. Stir content until you get an even solution. Dip a sponge in the mixture. Wring the sponge to remove excess liquid. Scrub the ceiling in a back-and-forth motion, and rinse. Dip the sponge back into the cleaning mixture and continue scrubbing the ceiling. Repeat the process until you have removed the soot from the ceiling. Dry the area by opening all doors and windows. You can also use box fans or dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process.
Drywall
Soot
To clean walls, remember to protect yourself with rubber gloves, goggles and face masks. To move about safely, clear the room of any objects and furniture. Take down curtains, picture frames, posters and wall decorations, and place them in another room. Cover objects too heavy to move with a plastic sheet or tarp. Also, cover the floor to protect it from the cleaning solution and falling soot. Fill a bucket with one gallon of warm water. Add half a cup of trisodium phosphate and one cup of bleach to the mix. Stir content until you get an even solution. Dip a large sponge in the mixture. Wring the sponge to remove excess liquid. Scrub the walls one section at a time in a back-and-forth motion, and rinse. Dip the sponge back into the cleaning mixture and continue scrubbing until the walls are completely clean. Repeat the process until you have removed the soot from the ceiling. Dry the area by opening all doors and windows. You can also use box fans or dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process. Note: Be careful not to wet walls too much, lest you damage the drywall.
Flooring
Soot
To clean floors, clear the room of all objects and furniture so you can move about safely and access the entire surface. Fill a bucket with one gallon of warm water. Add half a cup of trisodium phosphate and one cup of bleach to the mix. Stir content until you get an even solution. Dip a large sponge in the mixture or attach it to a mop handle. Wring the sponge to remove excess liquid. Fill another bucket with clean water. Place one mop in that bucket and set it aside. Mop a few square feet of the floor at a time with the cleaning mixture. Immediately rinse the mopped floor using the rinse water mop. Dip the sponge back into the cleaning mixture and continue scrubbing until the floor is completely clean. Repeat the process until you have removed the soot from the entire surface. Dry the area by opening all doors and windows. You can also use box fans or dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process. Rinse and dry the entire floor once again with clean water using the rinse water mop, after you’ve finished mopping the floor.
Conclusion
Reading the information above, you have understood that recovering from unexpected fire damage is about taking quick action. Quick action is only possible when you already know what immediate steps to take in the event of a fire. It is important to know exactly where to start and how to prioritize your remediation efforts. You must also be aware of your limits, and know when it is time to ask the help of a specialist.
