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10 Helpful Tips for Cleaning Up After a Bartow County Fire
7/26/2019 (Permalink)
Your not alone. SERVPRO of Bartow County is here to help cleanup after a house fire! We can make it "Like it never even happened"!
Home fires are some of the most destructive things on the face of the Earth. Seeing your house go up in flames is can be a heavy financial burden as well as emotionally damaging. If you have ever experienced a house fire in Bartow County you probably know exactly what we are talking about. It is important to focus on the positive when faced with such adversity. Take solace in the fact that you don’t have to face this catastrophic event alone. SERVPRO of Bartow County is here and can help you regain your grip on reality when everything feels like it is going out of control. SERVPRO of Bartow County can make it “Like it never even happened”!
What should I do once I am ready to start the fire cleanup process?
Often times when customers call on our services they wanting to know what they can do while help is on its way. The following are some easy to follow guidelines to help the cleanup process get started, and prevent additional damage to your property:
- Try to limit movement in affected areas of the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into textiles like upholstery, carpet, and clothing.
- Be mind full of what you touch and keep your hands clean. Touching clean items or areas with soot on your hands will further soil upholstery, furniture, clothing, and walls.
- Use dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and in traffic areas to reduce additional damage during the cleaning process.
- If the power is off, find a suitable place to store all the items in your freezer and refrigerator.Once the appliances are empty prop the doors open to help prevent odor.
- If the temperatures could drop below freezing and the heat to your house is off, winterize your plumbing by pouring RV antifreeze in sinks, toilets, and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.
- Turn off your HVAC system, change the filters, and leave system off until a trained professional can inspect the system.
- You can use cheesecloth to prevent soot particles from traveling through the HVAC system by affixing several layers of cheesecloth to the air registers.
- Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting trained professionals like SERVPRO of Bartow County
- Attempting to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting trained professionals is ill advised.
- Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV sets, radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.
- Do not consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat, or water as they may be contaminated.
- If ceiling is wet, do not turn on ceiling fans. Wiring may be wet or damaged and could cause an electrical shock. Air movement may create secondary damage.
- Don't send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.