Soot and Smoke Damage in Palmetto Bay

12/2/2016 (Permalink)

Fire can damage your property. Call SERVPRO to assess and remediate.

SERVPRO Restores Commercial and Residential Fire Damage

Most of the fire damage that homes and businesses suffer come from the smoke and soot generated by the heat and flames. While they do not generate the same destruction to a structure, if the cleaning isn't done properly, the results can be the same; drywall and ceiling panels and tiles will need to be replaced.

Regardless if it is a Palmetto Bay home or business, the fire damage cleaning processes for ceilings and walls is the same. The only variations in SERVPRO's processes depend on the material to be cleaned and the type of cleaning needed.

If the ceilings can be dry cleaned, our technicians have to start on the ceilings before walls. This is to avoid dropping new soil or chemical residues onto clean carpets. Dry cleaning is wiping down the ceilings using special sponges and cloths. Technicians start at the middle and work their way toward the walls and then down.

If this didn't remove all of the soil, then wet cleaning is required. With this method, the walls will be done first to prevent cleaning solution from dripping down the ceiling and streaking the walls. Cleaning begins at the bottom of the wall and moves toward the ceiling to prevent streaking as well.

As cleaning continues, our technicians have to consider if the surface they're cleaning is going to be 'clean for no paint' or 'clean for paint'. If dry cleaning or only mild wet cleaning removes the soot and smoke residue, then painting will not be required.

If this does not remove all of the smoke residues or if the soot has permanently stained an area, then painting will be required. Our technicians accomplish this by applying a pigmented alcohol shellac to seal the damaged surface and then paint over it with the color that the owner chooses. If the owner wishes to do it themselves or have a painting company come in, we'll stop after sealing the affected area.

Life in Miami-Dade County is the envy of many people across the country. There's no reason to let smoke and soot damage interrupt your life for a day longer than it should. SERVPRO of Cutler Bay is ready to help our neighbors restore their homes and businesses to normal as quickly as we can get it accomplished. Call us at (305) 278-8484 to get started.