For results you can have confidence in, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC) recommends hiring a certified restoration services firm for fire and smoke damage. Restoration to a property can be complex. Proper smoke and odor removal are tasks that require technicians certified in these specific areas.

When selecting a certified restoration firm several factors must be considered:

• Formal and up-to-date specialized training
• Health and safety certifications
• Experience in a wide range of restoration projects
• Proof of proper insurance and licenses

In the wake of a fire that has covered homes with smoke and ash, it’s important to begin clean up as soon as possible in order to prevent permanent damage or discolouration from soot residue.

Call right away!

The first thing to do is call your insurance company so an inspector can come assess the damage, then call a professional like RC White.

Restoration technicians know that damage increases and restoration costs escalate the longer neutralization, corrosion control and cleaning is delayed. When homeowners prolong the restoration of their home, they extend the effects brought on by the smoke exposure.

Cleaning up soot residue must be done as quickly as possible. During combustion, soot residue and volatile vapours are carried by rising and expanding air to surfaces throughout a structure, and are deposited. This process occurs repeatedly until combustion ends, with soot residue building up on surfaces layer by layer. By the time restoration technicians arrive, lacquer-like soot residue may be quite difficult to dissolve and remove.

Contact RC White as soon as possible for an assessment.

From IICRC website. Find more valuable articles at iicrc.org Under “For Consumers”