Residential Fire & Smoke Damage Removal Services
Fire in the Home
Seeing your home and precious possessions consumed by fire can be one of the most severe losses that a homeowner can experience.
After such a devastating loss, reassurance comes from having clear guidance and support in salvaging as much as possible from fire and smoke damage.
At ServiceMaster Restore®, our technicians are more than talented professionals; they’re caring people ready to get you back in your home as quickly as possible, while keeping you informed every step of the way.
What are the common types of fires that can occur?
- Protein Fire
Food from the oven or stove has burned, leaving strong burnt food odors and smoke residue on contents and surfaces.
- Complex Fire
Multiple natural and synthetic items inside your home have burned causing black smoke residue on contents and surfaces and synthetic smoke odors.
Here, emergency corrosion mitigation is needed to protect at-risk surfaces.
- Natural Fire
Trees, shrubs and bushes have burned and smoke has penetrated the structure from outside, so smoke residue and odor are present.
- Furnace Malfunction
Heating appliances such as oil-fired furnaces have malfunctioned and caused smoke to be distributed throughout the property.
Fire damage goes beyond burning items
- Ash and smoke can continue to cause damage and corrosion to materials if they are left behind.
- Odors from smoke will stay in a room or a home long after the fire and continue to cause problems if they are not removed.
- In a few minutes, walls and other surfaces can be discolored.
- In a few hours, finishes on kitchen appliances turn yellow.
- Smoke causes etching in glass after just a short time, and smoke will tarnish metal quickly.
Not all fire damage is the same. Our fire restoration process is thorough and proven. It includes:
- Identifying the source to determine the type of fire that occurred
- Evaluating the areas that are wet as a result of firefighting that may need treatment
- Remediating water damage (if any)
- Evaluating sensitive materials that may be damaged as a result of smoke and soot particles
- Removing contents from the home, including:
– Collecting immediate items you may need for the next seven days such as clothing, prescriptions, toys, school books, business needs, etc
– Packing out the remaining contents for cleaning and storage
- Performing structural restoration, including:
– Removing any charred contents that may seal in smoke such as insulation and burned wood
– Evaluating carpets and floor coverings that may need to be removed
– Inspecting the framing of the house and subfloors for safety
– Treating affected surfaces for smoke odors and sealing to keep any leftover odors from leaking back into the house
- Cleaning, eliminating odors and deodorizing surfaces to pre-loss condition
- Returning items to the original location and helping to restore your normal life
Don’t try to do it yourself!
The residue left behind after a fire is a biohazard and can cause health problems if it is not taken care of correctly and thoroughly.
You do not want to attempt to clean up your home on your own after a fire or you may cause more damage.
Only experts with the right training and tools can assure the job is done properly.
Did you know that smoke continues to destroy your home and its contents even after the fire is out?
Smoke that has coated or penetrated surfaces continues to affect the chemical composition of fabrics, metals, walls, ceilings and even tiles. Count on us to handle every aspect of the smoke and soot removal as well as restore areas damaged by fire.
What to do if you’re in the middle of a loss
- Corrosive by-products can cause irreversible etching in as few as 72 hours. Call for professional help
- If the temperature is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.
- Clean laminate surfaces as well as chrome, porcelain and aluminum fixtures to prevent permanent tarnishing or etching.
- Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
- Tape damp cheesecloth over returns and supply registers to capture loose soot in the air.
- Discard any open food packages.
- If the electricity is off, clean out the refrigerator and leave doors propped open.
- Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified restoration dry cleaner.
What not to do
- Do not touch anything with your bare hands. Oil from your hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork, causing additional damage.
- Do not wash walls. Incorrect cleaning could compound the soot residue.
- Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.
- Do not use electrical appliances until having them checked.
- Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED WITH A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF FIRE DAMAGE SERVICES:
Residential Wall, Ceiling and Cabinet Washing
Any house fire, even a small one, requires professional clean-up from top to bottom.
With ServiceMaster Restore®, we have the experience, process and know-how to get your home back to clean and fresh after a fire.
More than taking care of your ceilings and walls, we’ll also clean, polish and deodorize woodwork such as crown mouldings.
And because closets, attics, cabinets and drawers can be sources of trapped smoke odor, we’ll tackle every part of the house to ensure a thorough cleaning and deodorizing.
How smoke can damage your home
- In just a few minutes smoke can discolor the walls and within a few hours, finishes on kitchen appliances can discolor
- Smoke causes etching in glass after just a short time and smoke will tarnish metal quickly
- Ash and smoke can continue to cause damage and corrosion to materials if they are left behind
Regular soap and water is no match for walls and woodwork damaged by fire.
Restoring your walls and cabinets back to normal requires professional products and processes designed to remove smoke and soot. Our experts use specialized products to thoroughly clean and deodorize.
From beginning to end, our technicians are always there to answer your questions, ease any confusion and provide clear, step-by-step understanding throughout every part of the process.
Residential Smoke Damage & Soot Removal Services
Even after a fire has been extinguished, damage to your home and belongings continues.
That’s why it’s so important to call in a professional who knows the right way to deal with soot, smoke and odor to prevent further damage.
Immediately call your insurance company and the professionals at ServiceMaster Restore®
The residue left behind after a fire is a biohazard and can cause health problems if it is not taken care of correctly and thoroughly.
We’ll quickly assess the damage to find out the costs for fire restoration and examine if there’s any additional damage from water or other factors.
Once the amount of damage is determined, we’ll come up with an estimate for the cleaning and restoration.
To ensure superior removal of soot, smoke and odor damage, we:
- Clean the ash residue that builds up on surfaces before it spreads
- Neutralize the odors to keep them from returning
- Remove the troubling reminders of soot, odor and stains from at-risk items such as brass, aluminum, chrome, marble, tile, porcelain, as well as fabrics, upholstery and carpets
- Deodorize the carpets and curtains before they are cleaned
- Use special chemicals that break up the molecules in the smoke to get rid of the odors before dry cleaning your clothing
DEFINITIONS
Smoke: The solid, liquid and gaseous products of combustion released into the air.
Soot: Fine, black particles composed primarily of carbon, produced by the incomplete combustion of fuel.
Puffbacks: Accumulations of soot that are sometimes released suddenly by furnace malfunctions.
What YOU can do after a fire to reduce odors and soot
- If the temperature is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor
- Change the air filter on the furnace if it uses forced hot air
- Tape damp cheesecloth over returns and supply registers to capture loose soot in the air
- Do not touch anything with bare hands. Oils from hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork, causing additional damage
- Do not wash walls. Incorrect cleaning could compound the soot residue
Warning: Do not attempt to clean up your home after a fire or you may cause more damage.
Puffbacks
A puffback is a misfiring in the furnace that, at its worst, can send soot throughout your home, covering drapes, bedding, furniture, cabinets, walls and everything in between.
It can happen all at once or gradually over time. This soot is a substance that is difficult to clean and often has a strong oily odor.
This dirty residue needs to be cleaned as soon as possible by professionals.
You can help prevent puffbacks
Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent a puffback, annual inspection and maintenance of your oil burner or furnace can greatly reduce your risk.
So be sure to have your oil burner and furnace system cleaned regularly.
Residential Content Cleaning and Restoration
When a fire damages your belongings, count on ServiceMaster Restore® to be at your side with the expertise and guidance to get the job done right.
We’ll start by evaluating your contents to determine the best methods of restoration and identify the items that are non-restorable.
Then, we’ll clean, deodorize and restore your items on-site as needed, or take it to our secured, climate-controlled location to be cleaned.
If your content needs to be taken to our site for cleaning, our Packout and Content Restoration process includes:
- Inventory, pack and transport your belongings to our climate-controlled warehouse
- Provide a printed copy of the inventory items
- Restore, clean and deodorize items
- Track and document contents throughout the restoration process
- Provide easy access to items when needed
- Return items to your home
Whether cleaned on-site or at our facility, let the specialized experts at ServiceMaster Restore handle your precious items. Our technicians clean, deodorize and restore items that include:
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For our Packout, Move & Storage Services, please see our Mover with Storage by ServiceMaster Website for more info.
Residential Tarping and Board-Up Services for Fire Damage
If your home has been damaged by fire, you need to secure it quickly and safely to avoid any further damage.
With 65 years of experience in providing emergency home services, ServiceMaster Restore® responds rapidly with expert tarping and board-up services to keep out the elements and unwanted guests.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, we’re here to help guide you through this difficult time and get your life back to normal.
With ServiceMaster Restore, you can feel confident knowing we bring 65 years of experience to your home restoration and a solid commitment to guiding you through the process from start to finish.
We have the expertise, equipment and dedication to handle the entire project from initial damage assessment through site clean-up and preparation to rebuilding to pre-loss condition.
Through it all, we’ll strive to minimize disruptions, answer all your questions and guide you throughout the process.
MOLD DAMAGE
Mold can put your family’s health at risk and at the same time, cause physical damage to your home’s structure and its fixtures and contents.
Don’t delay, get fast and professional mold remediation services from an industry leader.
SPECIAL SERVICES
We help clean up and restore damage in unique situations, such as hoarding services, tarping and board-up and air duct cleaning.
INSURANCE INFORMATION
As an industry leader working with insurance companies, we have the expertise to help you navigate your claim while guiding you through the insurance process.
We will board-up any broken windows, walls, or doors that have been damaged. We also provide tarping for damaged roofs. By shielding the compromised areas, we help prevent further damage to your home.
Residential Clothing and Fabric Cleaning
After a fire, odors can linger in clothing and fabrics throughout your home.
While it might seem like a laundry service could clean your clothes and fabrics, the truth is not all laundry services are trained in smoke and deodorization services.
Getting the job done right requires specialized training.
As trusted experts, ServiceMaster Restore® will work with you to evaluate your immediate need items and answer any questions you may have about the professional cleaning of your clothes and fabrics.
Let the specialized experts at ServiceMaster Restore handle your clothing and fabric items including:
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Clothes and fabrics that have undergone fire damage require a specialized form of cleaning.
At ServiceMaster Restore, all of our clothing and fabric cleaning is performed by a restoration expert using professional equipment and proven processes.
We provide a comprehensive service that includes inventory control and documentation of clothing and textiles, including bedding, window coverings and more.
Most of all, we understand what you’re going through and provide the care and integrity you deserve during a stressful time.
Residential Carpet and Upholstered Furniture Restoration
Cleaning and removing smoke odor from carpets and upholstery is a complex job.
Doing it right takes the expertise of professionals who have undergone extensive training.
That’s ServiceMaster Restore®.
Our experts start by evaluating your situation to determine the best cleaning and restoration methods.
Then, we go to work using proven processes, equipment and products to restore your carpeting and upholstery.
At every step in the process, we are there for you to answer any questions and provide guidance when you need it most.
When a fire occurs at home, it creates two types of smoke damage – visible soot and invisible odor.
Household textiles have to be handled correctly to prevent further damage.
And deodorizing with household sprays and disinfectants may only mask the smoke odor.
At ServiceMaster Restore, our experts use specialized products and processes designed to remove smoke and soot to restore your carpets and upholstered items.