Post-Fire Cleanup Duties

It’s often difficult to discuss the subject of a house fire in any capacity. Even if you can be thankful that there were no injuries, the idea of sifting through the resulting mess is something that most homeowners never want to think about. Unfortunately, even a small fire can cause a great deal of damage, which is why it’s important to understand the cleanup duties that are in your immediate future.

We’d like you to be ready for such an event, just in case it happens, so here is a list of five cleanup duties that you’ll need to accomplish after a fire:

Walls

No matter how big or small the fire was, smoke damage is unavoidable. The cleanup technique, however, will depend on the severity. If smoke damage is low, you can use household items like detergents and bleach to scrub it away. More severe damage will include more soot, which needs to be removed before wiping anything down. You can do this by simply dusting it off. And, finally, repainting should also be considered at every level of damage.

Flooring

This is where fire damage routinely becomes water damage. Putting out a fire will often cause the same kind of issues that you might expect from experiencing a flood in your home. Most people who have experienced a fire understand that their carpet is going to be ripped up and replaced. But, matter what type of flooring you have — carpet, tile, hardwood, etc. — water is going to seep through all the cracks and get underneath it. More often than not, this means that you’ll need to replace any type of flooring you have, which can best be done by calling a fire damage restoration company. And if the flooring can be saved, it will be.

Mold & Mildew

Here’s another issue that is not caused by the fire itself, but the water used to extinguish it. Mold and mildew can collect on surfaces where there’s standing water for a relatively short period of time. As you’re probably aware, mold and mildew can cause severe health problems for members of your household, especially for those who suffer from allergies or asthma. This is something you’ll want to clean up right away before it blossoms into a much bigger issue.

Clothing

You think your co-worker’s t-shirt smelled bad after he returned from a smoke break out back? That doesn’t even come close to the smoky stench from a piece of clothing that’s been in the vicinity of a fire. You don’t want to simply toss smoke-damaged clothing into the washing machine. Instead, you want to seek the assistance of a dry cleaner who has experience with post-fire situations. Just keep in mind that if the damage is extensive enough, you may be forced to discard some of your favorite clothing.

Dishes

Since dishes come into contact with your food on a regular basis, cleaning them thoroughly is an absolute necessity. Most dishes present in a fire can be soaked in bleach and water for 20-30 minutes, and then scrubbed down to clean off any residual elements. However, be aware that any pots, pans, or utensils made with wood or rubber have probably absorbed too much smoke to be cleaned properly. These types of items should be thrown out.

Whether it is water, fire, storm, or other damage, it is important that you get the help you need when you need it. You shouldn’t deal with post-fire cleanup duties or any other damage restoration alone. Reach out to Abbotts Fire & Flood and our knowledgeable professionals will assess your situation and find the best resolution to ensure that you’re taken care of.