House fires are one of scariest things that homeowners can go through, and after a fire many often feel overwhelmed and not know where to start when it comes to the fire damage cleanup process. Most homeowners will need to get help from fire restoration services in Greater Pittsburgh before they can move back into the home. Leaving the restoration process up to the professionals is always the quickest and best way to ensure your home is restored after a fire, but homeowners should still know what to expect in the process.
Steps to Cleaning Up After a Fire
Companies that provide fire damage cleanup services in Greater Pittsburgh understand that this kind of cleanup needs to follow a detailed and precise plan to be effective. Most companies will follow a process like this:
- Confirm Stabilization- Companies that provide restoration services in Greater Pittsburgh must first obtain clearance from the fire inspector that the home is stable enough to begin restoration and cleanup.
- Removing Personal Items- Teams will move through the home looking for furniture and personal belongings that can be moved out. These will be separated into garbage and what can be cleaned and salvaged.
- Soot, Water, and Debris Removal- One of the most extensive parts of fire damage cleanup is the removal of the soot, water, and debris left after firefighting. The restoration crew will look for mold and mildew and focus on water damage cleanup if necessary. Water and soot cleanup can often take several days, including the drying process.
- Deodorizing and Deep Cleaning- Carpets and walls, as well as personal possessions will need to be done carefully and with commercial cleaning products to avoid issues with mold and mildew. Special attention will be paid to curtains, drapes, and upholstered furniture.
After these four steps are completed by a company that does restoration services personal belongings can be moved back into the home and homeowners can move back in also. The process can take anywhere from several days to several weeks to complete depending on the amount of damage.
If you need fire damage cleanup, call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburgh or visit us on Facebook.