After a Fire in Marlborough, How Can I Safely Clean Away All of This Soot?

8/29/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Marlboro / Concord is the team to call when you need fast, effective fire and soot removal.

SERVPRO Comes to Your Marlborough Business and Uses the Latest Techniques for Fire and Soot Removal

When SERVPRO gets called to manage a fire cleanup project, we have technicians trained to handle all of the intricacies of such a task. We work carefully intending to restore versus replacement, which means cleaning as much of the structure and contents of your Marlborough business possible. This gets done with the help of our proven methods, powerful equipment, and advanced cleaning agents. All of this gets handled as quickly as possible because the longer it takes for total cleanup of smoke and soot, the less chance we have of a successful, full recovery.

How Do You Assess the Fire Damage?

After your interior is deemed safe for entry by the first responders on the scene, our crew chief does a walkthrough to scope the damage. When it comes to fire and soot removal in Marlborough, our technicians have been trained following guidelines of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). What this means is that we know how to determine what to salvage and what to dispose of.

The walkthrough gives us a better idea of the structural damage and any office furnishings, fixtures, and items that call for restoration. We also make sure that all documentation and photographs of the damage get handled carefully by the project manager on the job so that your insurance claim goes as smoothly as possible.

We Secure Your Property

Fire damage often weakens your building structure, which can leave any openings in a vulnerable position in regards to outdoor elements. We can go around your business space to close off any areas of potential exposure with our tarp up and boarding services.

What About Wet Areas of the Interior?

Fires are fought with either water, chemicals, or a combination of both. Depending on the size of the blaze, there could be extensive water damage left behind. We address the water left after first responders extinguishing the flames by:

    •    Utilizing specialized hygrometers that help us measure moisture saturation
    •    Using infrared camera technology that allows us to locate hidden pockets of moisture
    •    Employ the use of powerful equipment for water removals, such as truck-mounted extractors, pumps, and wet-dry vacuums

After our team is confident that we have removed enough water, we then put industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers into place. We always consider humidity levels and adjust our equipment placement accordingly to help achieve our drying goals. As with any project that involves moisture, mold prevention is part of the process.

Could There Be Soot in the Ductwork?

Before we arrive at your business, you can shut off the power to your HVAC system to reduce the transmission of soot and particulates to unaffected areas of your building. You can also close off the doors to the fire zone and carefully remove any relevant paperwork and other important items, if it is safe to do so.

Our team will take the appropriate steps to clean out your ductwork and seal the interior if necessary to help keep odorous elements from lingering. It is not unusual to have several smoke residue types within one space, all of which may require different applications and products for removal. It is important to note that some DIY cleaning methods may also result in further damage, such as:

    •    Wet cleaning solution used on dry smoke particles can embed them into surfaces causing stains
    •    Haphazardly dusting or vacuuming can cause particulates to become airborne, posing a health threat as well as moving them into other unaffected spaces in the building

We have the right equipment to use in each situation, including solvent mixtures that work on stubborn, sticky residue. Our team chooses the best process for mitigation during fire and soot removal to reach our restoration goals on time.

What About Wood Furniture?

For unfinished wood items within your commercial space, it is easy for smoke odors to penetrate them. Our team uses a few different cleaning options, including denatured alcohol and dry cleaning sponges on bottoms of office furniture, inside desk drawers, and any untreated wood shelving or other items.

There are some signs that your wood furniture may not be salvageable, which may happen after exposure to high heat. This will include:

    •    Joints that have taken on water or have cracked from exposure to heat
    •    Heavy surface blistering
    •    Permanent staining that is moderate to extremely dark

We do offer semi-refinishing techniques that can help to bring your wood furnishings back to life. This process is best for taking off watermarks and slight stains while using a solvent-based cleaner over the finish layer on top. When carefully executed, this process helps to remove chalky spots and light stains.

SERVPRO of Marlboro / Concord is the team to call when you need fast, effective fire and soot removal. Contact us 24/7 by calling (978) 486-9868 to have a crew deployed to your building.