3 Things to Do Before Fire Restoration Help Arrives | SERVPRO® of Kingston/New Paltz

7/12/2018 (Permalink)

Call 845-831-3600 for your fire damage clean up!

Being affected by a home fire can be debilitating. While damage from fires can often be mitigated with restoration, as you begin the cleanup process, it’s important to always hire a professional to properly handle the damage.

Calling a professional has many benefits, including preventing the hassle of working with your homeowner’s insurance and helping your home to be restored faster. However, while you’re waiting for help to arrive, it’s natural to want to do what you can to get started.

While some things should absolutely be left to the professionals, there are processes you can begin on your own to get your life back to normal even faster. If you find yourself ready to get started on fire restoration ASAP, here are three tasks you can safely do:

Giving cabinets, countertops and any other solid surfaces a preliminary scrub with soap and water will cut through the initial layer of grime. It’s best to use a mild dish soap or alkaline cleaner to begin, and let the professionals handle the usage of anything more heavy-duty. Cleaning improperly can result in more severe and even permanent damaging to your surfaces, so do not start in on anything you’re unsure about.

If weather permits, air out the house as much as possible. Open windows and doors to begin to let the smoke smell dissipate, and leave them open as long as you are able. While the restoration team will bring industrial-grade equipment to air out the home once they arrive, this is a small step you can take toward helping the process along.

If your washer and dryer have not been affected by the fire, starting laundry right away is a great way to help the cleanup process as most items will need to be washed several times. Any bedding, clothing or other machine washable materials should be washed with an alkaline cleaner or vinegar solution, but delicate fabrics, upholstery and curtains should be left in professional care.

If you need help with fire restoration, SERVPRO®’s team of professionals can get you the help you need right away!