What Happens During a Typical Fort Lee Fire Damage Restoration Service?

3/20/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians can wipe and clean kitchen assemblies soiled by soot and fire damage pleasing Fort Lee homeowners.

SERVPRO Serves the Local Fort Lee Community with 24/7 Available House Fire Cleanup

SERVPRO handles fire damage cleanup regularly for local Fort Lee properties. While every fire and structure is a unique scenario, the science behind the cleanup process is often managed in the same organized manner to ensure the best outcome every time.

A Fort Lee homeowner seeing fire damage in their residence for the first time may feel that nothing within can be saved. This is particularly true if the first responders used a fire-fighting method that takes burning room contents, pulls them into the center of a room, and douses them with water. Leaving a big, wet pile of possessions and building materials in the middle of the floor. As soon as the fire department gives the "all-clear" to enter the structure, SERVPRO starts the process of cleaning up the fire damage, which typically includes:

• Inspection of the area with fire damage
• Removal of ruined materials
• Extraction of water and structure drying as needed
• Setting up cleaning stations for articles with restoration potential

The cleaning stations outside the restoration service area are where SERVPRO technicians inspect and choose the appropriate method for cleaning for each item. The removal of smoke damage from objects can include some of the following ways:

• Spray and wipe surface cleaning
• Absorption cleaning
• Immersion cleaning

Common Types of Smoke Damage Cleaning Overview

One of the most common methods of getting rid of the soot left behind by fire is the spray and wipe method. SERVPRO technicians have many cleaning agents, some specially formulated for our company, to choose for specific types of residues that coat porous and non-porous surfaces.

Fragile articles that cannot withstand cleaning with water or solvent-based applications can sometimes benefit from absorption methods. The technicians use a fine powder sprinkled over the item and then allow the residue within to get pulled up and into the powder. The techs then gently vacuum the article without any marring of the surface. Porous surfaces such as unsealed marble, concrete, and brick can all benefit from pressure washing or pressurized dry ice pellet blasting to remove soot residues.

The cleaning stations also include technicians that use immersion cleaning methods. This type of fire damage cleaning gets used on items determined not fragile and has no issues with colorfastness. The ultrasonic tank immersion process is used for delicate knick-knacks, porcelain objects, crystal, and even lighting fixtures where soot and oils may be deposited in detailed areas. The sound waves produce many thousands of minuscule bubbles that implode causing the water and detergent to remove the soils with no fear of breakage.

What Happens to Items with Too Much Fire Damage for Restoration?

SERVPRO technicians have the ultimate goal of saving as much of the structure and contents as possible during a fire damage cleanup job. However, that is not always possible, and some items require disposal. The technicians get approval for an article that needs removal and document the condition with photographs and a written report to assist the homeowner with any insurance claims.

SERVPRO of Fort Lee at (201) 496-6024 brings professional equipment, years of experience, and compassion to each fire damage restoration service.