Getting Rid of Smoke Damage in Folsom Homes

by | Sep 5, 2012 | Home Improvement

When you experience a house fire, the aftermath can be devastating. If your home wasn’t totally destroyed, there will still be a great deal of damage to address. Even a small kitchen fire can result in a terrible odor that won’t go away. Larger fires lead to strong odor, charred walls, and surfaces covered in ash. When you need to get rid of smoke damage in Folsom homes or businesses, follow these expert tips to make clean up a little easier.

First, begin working immediately. The longer you wait to address the damage, the worse it will get. Odors grow stronger over time as smoke lingers. As soon as possible, make a plan to clean up the smoke damage in your Folsom home or business. Grab some protective clothing, a respirator mask, and goggles. Then your first step will be to ventilate the house as much as you can. Open all of the doors and windows. Make sure your HVAC system is switched off to avoid spreading odors and ash through your ventilation system. If you can find a few large industrial fans, point them towards exterior doors and open windows to create negative pressure. This forces the smoky air out quickly.

Once you have started airing things out, grab a good vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and start going over carpet and upholstery. Use the extensions to suck up scattered soot and ashes that are covering the shelves, tables, walls, or countertops. Don’t touch the ashes directly. Instead, just hover the extension a few inches above the surface you want to clean. If you mash the vacuum extension directly onto upholstery covered in soot, you could end up with a major stain that is impossible to get out.

When you are removing smoke damage in Folsom, the next step is to wipe everything down. Start with hard surfaces like appliances or furniture. Then move on to the ceilings and walls. Use a dry sponge to wipe away ashes and then clean the service with a solution of vinegar and water. For stubborn areas, you might need to use a little paint thinner to remove the residue. You will need to clean every possible surface in the house, from top to bottom. Even the light bulbs should be removed and replaced.

Next, address upholstery in the room. You should wash all of the clothing, bedding, curtains, and towels. Upholstered furniture will need to be deep cleaned. Replace all of the filters for the HVAC system and throw out old pillows and replace them. Finally, the carpet should be thoroughly deodorized using an odor counteractant. If the damage is extensive or you just don’t have time to face this overwhelming cleaning task, contact a cleaning company who specializes in dealing with smoke damage in Folsom.

If you are dealing with the aftermath of a major file, get more information about how to clean up smoke damage in Folsom at CTechRestoration.net.clean up smoke damage in Folsom

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