What You Can Do Safely Before Fire Restoration Help Arrives | SERVPRO® of Kingston/New Paltz

10/24/2018 (Permalink)

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Learning that you’ve been affected by a home fire is a devastating feeling. The good news is, much of the damage can be mitigated through restoration if you hire a professional.

Not only will a professional work with your homeowner’s insurance company on your behalf, but they will also be able to salvage more items in the cleanup. However, it’s natural to want to do what you can to get started as you’re waiting for help to arrive.

While some things should always be left to the professionals, there are a few things you can do while you wait. If you’d like to start on fire restoration ASAP, here are three things you can safely do:

Starting laundry right away is a great way to help the cleanup process, as most things will have to be washed several times. As long as your machines have not been affected, washing any clothing, bedding or other machine washable materials with an alkaline cleaner or vinegar solution is a great place to start. Leave delicate fabrics, upholstery and curtains to professional care.

If weather allows, reduce the smoky smell by opening windows and doors, and let them remain open as long as possible. While the restoration team will bring industrial-grade equipment to aid this process once they arrive, this is a small step you can take toward helping the process along.

Non-porous surfaces—such as tile and countertops—can benefit from a scrub with soap and water to cut through the outermost layer of grime. A mild dish soap or alkaline cleaner will get you started, but let the professionals handle the usage of anything more heavy-duty. Cleaning improperly can result in more severe and possibly permanent damage to your surfaces, so anything you’re unsure about should be left to the pros.

In the event of a house fire, SERVPRO® has a team of trained professionals that can help your life get back to normal, faster. Like it never even happened.