Fire Damage Repair & Restoration Columbus

Fire Damage Restoration is a big task. For people who have the strength and the capacity to handle it, it may be a pleasant distraction after experiencing such devastating damage. However, for most, fire destruction cleaning and restoration is just too much to handle. If you would rather make use of expert services, we are prepared and capable of taking care of every fire restoration detail for you. However, if you would rather do the work by yourself, we hope this information will be helpful.

Be Cautious 

To start with, you must never go into a fire-damaged building until it has been cleared by fire officials. Even then, you still have to take precautionary measures to keep yourself safe. There are many dangerous and hazardous particles that might still be lingering.

The most important safety concern generally has to do with cleaning and other dangerous liquids stored in the home. When there is a kitchen fire, bleach and other household cleaners could be destroyed and drip to the floor. This might result in an acidic concoction which could lead to second or even third-degree burns. Substances like paint thinner and even your electronic devices could also become harmful when destroyed by a fire.

Breaches

As soon as you go back to your home to begin the fire damage restoration, the first task is to check if there are breaches in the building. A breach is a spot where a portion of the wall or roof is missing, exposing the home’s interior to the elements. Breaches must be sealed right away.

The best effective way to do this is to secure a tarp over it to shut out the elements. The tarp should be constructed from a durable material and fastened to ensure that it creates an impenetrable seal.

Water Removal

Firemen often pump thousands of gallons of water onto burning houses to extinguish the blaze. While some of the water will naturally evaporate, a substantial quantity of the liquid is collected on the ground where it mixes with other spilled liquids, burnt plastics, and potentially harmful substances. It’s imperative to drain and removed the remaining water before you begin the fire damage restoration.

To do this, we employ industry standard water pumps and extractors. You may lease a similar machine from a supplier or get it in local Home improvement outlets such as Lowes or Home Depot.

You will need two simple pieces of equipment: A water pump containing hoses which can convey large volumes water and a press extractor, a device that presses down on surfaces and sucks up any present water.

If your floor is made of hardwood, you might not need to use a press extractor, however, the floors might have warped and damaged and may require replacement or repair.

Sorting and Soot Removal

After the water has been completely drained, you can start sorting the property that was damaged in the fire. To achieve this, you’ll first have to get rid of the soot in order to evaluate the extent of damage and determine if an item can be saved.

If you have got insurance that will cover the damage ensure that you take a photograph of every item to allow for a smoother claim.

After that, you’ll begin to assess each item a methodical fashion, beginning with the furniture. Any burnt items should be discarded. Pieces that appear in good condition but have a strong smell of smoke may have to be discarded also, especially if it has remained wet for some time. 

Next, assess the floors. If the rug is ruined, it is advisable to seek the advice of a professional to see if it can be salvaged, since wet rugs often house germs and mold. Otherwise, check if your insurance will take care of its replacement.

If the rug is unsalvageable, remove it and have it thrown away. The fire-damaged areas of your home should be free of any flooring, furniture or other items. 

Repair of Fire, Smoke & Soot Damage

Walk slowly around the affected area, examining the concrete or under flooring for any possible damage. Water seepage and wall cracks are serious problems if water should find its way to the foundation, it will cause the foundation to expand and contract as the seasons changes, and this will gradually expand the cracks and may lead to building collapse.

If there is no problem with the foundation, the next step is to use a trisodium phosphate cleaner to clean it. Begin with the walls, ceiling, and flooring. Make sure you thoroughly clean every spot, if not; your home will have a permanent smoke odor. Depending on the size of the area damaged by fire, this part of the cleaning might take some days to complete so consider enlisting the help of a friend or family member. 

Conclusion

Fire Damage Restoration and cleaning might seem like a whole lot of hard work, and certainly, it is. Though it is not an impossible task, it is definitely something that should be undertaken lightly. 

If you prefer to have the help of an expert that will get the job done right and with the finesse of a professional we are ready and well-equipped to help you right away. Call us now at 614- 484-8881