Fire Damage Debris and Soot Removal in Reading

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians are available 24/7 to clean up fire damage in Reading; call us today.

SERVPRO Fire Restoration for Reading Homes Removes Debris and Rebuilds Structures

According to 2020 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) data, home fires caused $8.7 billion in property damage to residential structures and contents. Regardless of how much they prepare for a disaster, Reading homeowners may not have the equipment necessary to remediate fire damage odors, residues, or suppression strategies. However, professional restoration technicians can help.

Reading fire damage cleanup professionals at SERVPRO can return affected properties to a pre-disaster state. SERVPRO cleanup includes water mitigation post-fire suppression, sanitation with EPA-registered antimicrobials, and demolition of unsalvageable material where needed to prepare spaces for rebuilding services.

Why Does Smoke Damage Cleanup Matter?

Regardless of the source, flames often do more than leave behind smoke stains on drywall. Burnt materials leave lingering odors and residues with no "one-size-fits-all" cleanup solution. These materials differ significantly enough that various classes of fire extinguishers exist.

• Class A extinguishers handle dry goods that burn quickly at high heat, like wood and paper
• Class B extinguishers are designed for grease fires in kitchens and other low-burning oils and petroleum products
• Class C remediates electrical fires
• Class K is explicitly designed with commercial kitchen fires in mind

While various alternatives are available, homeowners may be overwhelmed by the diversity of flame suppression options. This variety also indicates how diverse and adaptable cleanup solutions must be for burnt items and structures. On top of that, smoke particles can become acidic and damage metals and finishes in the home, which creates even more repair and replacement costs for homeowners. 

SERVPRO's Fire Restoration Process Includes Residue Cleanup and Odor Control

Smoke and soot cleanup from SERVPRO addresses residues, debris, charring, and hard-to-remove stains and odors. Technicians can perform the following tasks:

• Remediate any present water damage or microbial growth from moisture exposure after fire suppression. Mold can grow as quickly as 24 hours after exposure, so sanitation is essential for protecting indoor air quality
• Use dry cleaning, alkaline cleaners, OSHA-approved detergents, and abrasion blasting, among other solutions, to eliminate soot, creosote, and char from surfaces
• Deploy dry foggers to dispense solvent-based smoke that chemically binds with soot particles to eliminate the odors associated with them
• Specialized enzyme digesters clean challenging protein residues after cooking fires, which account for approximately half of all home fires in the United States

After cleaning damage and eliminating unsalvageable debris and structural materials per homeowners' wishes, SERVPRO professionals can focus on restoring the property to a comfortable condition. Build-back services can entail installing new carpet and drywall, repainting walls, ceilings, and baseboards, and repairing subfloors and wall joists. SERVPRO techs can also implement boards-ups and tarps for damaged roofing, windows, and doorways.

This crew's restoration-focused approach also extends to homeowners' belongings. SERVPRO professionals can extract stains and odors from upholstery, dinnerware, and decor, among other items. Even electronics can often be restored after soot exposure.

Throughout the process, SERVPRO maintains a detailed inventory of belongs and their conditions to aid homeowners and insurance adjusters with claims filing and documentation. A restoration-based approach can ultimately minimize disturbances to the home and allow property occupants to return to their lives more quickly and smoothly.

SERVPRO of Reading can be reached at (610) 779-8189. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster and ready to work with homeowners to restore their properties.