Tips For Smoke Damage Cleaning
Smoke damage cleaning can be an expensive and overwhelming process. It can also lead to health and safety risks for property owners trying to tackle it on their own. If not addressed properly, smoke can cause permanent damage to fabrics and materials. If you have smoke damage in your home or business, it’s important to hire a professional restoration company.
A good first step to take is to photograph all areas that are affected by smoke. This will play a crucial role in filing an insurance claim. This is especially important for wood, metal, and other items with extensive smoke damage.
Next, make sure to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including rubber gloves and goggles while working in the area. This is because soot particles can irritate lungs and exacerbate respiratory illnesses. If you decide to tackle the cleaning yourself, it’s best to start with vacuuming loose soot and dust. This can be done with a standard vacuum cleaner or even a powerful dry vac.
Porous materials like fabric and carpet should be washed as quickly as possible. They can be permanently damaged in just a day or two, and the longer it’s left untreated, the harder it will be to remove. Other surfaces, such as painted walls and furniture can also become stained irreparably if not cleaned within a few hours. Metal surfaces can rust and corrode as well if they’re allowed to sit for too long.
Lastly, don’t try to wash any paper or paint or touch anything sooty with bare hands. This can worsen the situation and spread soot to other parts of the house. Instead, use a trisodium phosphate, or TSP, cleaner, on problem areas. smoke damage cleaning