Cleaning up after a fire can be an overwhelming and dangerous task. While your first instinct might be to start restoring the space immediately, fire cleanup requires careful steps to ensure safety and minimize further damage. Before any cleaning begins, it’s essential to confirm that the fire is fully extinguished, as hidden embers or ash can reignite. From there, assessing structural integrity, documenting the damage for insurance purposes, and wearing protective gear are all crucial initial steps. By understanding the right safety practices before professional restoration can take place, Denver property owners can protect themselves, preserve their property, and expedite the path to recovery.
How to Safely Clean Up After a Fire: Steps to Take Before Professional Restoration in Denver
Ensure the Fire Has Stopped
A fire can continue to burn under the surface, even while the top appears like ash has gone cold to the touch. Never start cleaning up immediately after a fire in your home or business.
Be sure that the fire has been entirely extinguished before moving forward. Embers and ashes can still be set alight. Fires that appear extinguished could still reignite or continue burning.
Fire restoration companies can only step in once firefighters have established that the area is completely safe.
Assess the Area For Property Damage
Safety after a fire is also about guaranteeing the structural integrity of the space. You must be aware that flooring and banisters might lack their previous stability. Always test before stepping forward, and never lean against anything that might have been damaged by fire and smoke.
Weak spots and compromised structural integrity are common issues after a fire. Again, rely on the professionals giving the all-clear before stepping in with a professional fire damage restoration team.
Record Video and Photographs
Always record video and photographs of the affected area or areas. Property owners should document the amount of damage with a short description. This is crucial for the insurance company and fire damage reports. This can be important for later assessment without being at the scene.
The aftermath of fire and smoke damage is dangerous, and you should never attempt to clean up a fire scene by yourself. Wait for a professional assessment, and trust an experienced team of professionals.
Wear Protective Gear
Fires can leave behind a variety of pollutants in the air to include:
- Dust
- Chemicals
- Smoke and Soot
- Other fine particles, including fiberglass
Chemicals can be deposited on walls, floors, and furniture. Wear protective gear when cleaning up or assessing your home or commercial property. Wear goggles, gloves, and hard-tipped shoes when entering the damaged area.
Proceed carefully, and never rush into a compromised area, even if you think it presents no further risk. Everything from falling debris to startled animals could present themselves as sudden hazards.
Ventilate the Area
Cleaning up a fire-damaged area always means that the space should be ventilated. However, if there are still active flames or embers, you could create a vacuum — and a practical firebomb once it releases. Only introduce oxygen into the area once all fire hazards have been cleared.
Remove Large Items
Remove all large items from the area before beginning to clean the space. Large items can be cleaned elsewhere and with more care. Doing this can give the cleanup service team more space to move around when restoring your home.
Once large items have been cleared out, it’s time to brush and filter all dust.
Brush and Filter Dust
Even in the hottest of house fires, small personal effects often remain to be dug out of the ash. Brush dust together, taking time to filter or sift through the ashes for anything that could be useful.
Depending on the reason and intensity of the fire, there might still be much to save. Not everything after fire damage will need to be thrown away.
Vacuum the Area
Once dust has been filtered and sifted, it’s time to vacuum. Use high-quality, industrial vacuums that are used to running their motor for more extended periods (and at more vigorous intensity).
Consider that some ash may also be wet after extinguishing a fire. While it’s too much for the average vacuum, any industrial wet-and-dry vacuum cleaner will make the job easier.
Cleaning Soot
Depending on the potential structural damage, a fire can leave a considerable amount of soot and dust to clean up afterward. Soot should be cleaned up carefully; keep in mind that it’s likely to stain any cloth it touches.
Use special cleaning agents designed for soot and fire damage as one more way to make cleaning up easier. During the cleaning and restoration process, you should always:
- Wear gloves
- Wear a mask
- Change clothes often
- Be cautious of transferring residue to other places
Now It’s Time For Professional Fire Damage Restoration Services
After the basic steps are done, it’s time for fire damage restoration services to step in. Skilled staff members are reliable and come with decades of experience. If you live in the Denver area and need help, call Colorado Cleanup Services for professional restoration today.
Denver Clean-up & Restoration Services
With over 150 years of combined experience, the Colorado Cleanup Services, Inc. team has the knowledge, skill, and commitment necessary to handle any emergency cleanup services you may require. From flood and fire damage restoration to sewage backup, and coronavirus cleanup services in Denver, CO, you can always turn to us when you need deep, disinfecting cleaning for your home or business.
Family-owned and operated, our cleaning company is proud to provide the services of trained and certified technicians to all our clients. Our impressive team knows what it takes to return damaged properties to their original condition with the highest level of professionalism. Don’t settle for anything less when you require high-quality disaster recovery services. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure you receive the help you need when you need it give us a call: 303-237-4406.
