Experts in fire damage restoration in San Antonio will tell you that in the wake of a fire, time is of the essence. It is important to start the clean-up process as soon as possible otherwise soot and ash residue will quickly discolor surfaces permanently. There are a few tips that will make this miserable job go better.
If the damage from fire and smoke is extensive you will be much better off to hire a company that does fire damage restoration in San Antonio on a professional basis.
- Make sure your home insurance policy covers the cost of cleanup.
- Always stay safe, wear gloves, a face mask and heavy shoes.
- Air movement is extremely important, open all the windows and place fans in the worst affected area.
- Clean from the top down, start with the ceiling and end with the floor.
- Most of the exterior walls can be cleaned with a mild detergent and a stiff brush. Pressure wash and rinse if possible.
The longer you wait to clean, undertake corrosion control and neutralization the damage costs escalate. The effects of the fire are bad enough but time has a way of worsening the situation. The damaging effects of fire and smoke actually follow a time line.
Within minutes the acid in soot causes plastics to turn color; the closer small appliances are to the fire the more permanent the damage.
Within hours the grout between tiles begins to discolor, uncoated metals begin to rust and tarnish; countertops turn yellow as well as the finish on major appliances.
Within days the acid residue causes the walls to turn color permanently, wood furnishings will require refinishing, vinyl floors will require replacing, clothing and soft furnishings stain beyond redemption.
Within weeks the cost of fire damage restoration in San Antonio escalate tremendously; silver plating will corrode, glass including the windows and dinnerware will have to be replaced as the acid in the soot will have had sufficient time to etch and pit the surfaces.
The speed at which cleanup is done cannot be overemphasized. During a fire the soot and volatile fumes are carried upwards and within no time the entire structure is coated. Until the fire is extinguished this process continues; soot builds up layer by layer. If restoration is delayed by the time the experts have arrived the soot will have literally become like lacquer, almost impossible to dissolve and eliminate. Visit Shaw Company Remodeling for more information.
