Fire Damage Tips

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes specializes in the cleanup and restoration of property that has been damaged by fire, smoke or water.

After suffering a house fire, it might be difficult to determine what to do and what not to do. A fire in your home can cause serious damage. Your home and belongings may be badly damaged by flames, heat, smoke, soot, and water. Contact your insurance company right away. 

What To Do After A Fire 

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from becoming embedded into upholstery and carpet.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What Not To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without contacting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water. 
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged. 
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

After a fire, many people will first react by wanting to clean up their home. Professionals are called for a reason-they do this for a living. You want to hire a restoration company to ensure that your property gets back to normal without endangering your health. One of the many advantages of hiring a professional restoration company is that they are fully equipped with protective gear. All of this gear is certified for handling soot and items affected by smoke or fire. If you choose to repair damage by yourself without being properly equipped, you put yourself in danger. 

When fire and water take control of your life, we help take it back. Our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened."