subject: Fire And Smoke Cleanup In Atlanta, Georgia [print this page] A house fire is a life changing eventA house fire is a life changing event. The devastation left behind in he wake of a fire, even a small house fire is devastating. Smoke and soot damage ruins objects and materials, filling the air with a foul odor. Water damage left behind from the act of putting out the fire also contributes to the damage left behind from a fire. Even a small fire will damage the house structure. From scorch marks to black sooty spots there will be an abundance of evidence of any fire left behind.
Sure you could try to clean up the soot and smoke residue and left over water from putting out the fire yourself. This however is a huge undertaking. Damage to the structure is a difficult task to fix as well, and often requires specialized training and equipment. An average person cannot tell if the structure is safe and sound, this is where a professionals knowledge and training comes into play. Restoration experts for fire damage are well versed in every aspect of fire damage restoration, from the structure to the household items that remain inside, these experts can salvage anything that is salvageable and inform the home owner on what is not safe to keep. Some household materials and items will need to be destroyed after a fire, some due to toxins left behind, other due to extensive damage.
Fire damage experts will first deal with cleaning up any water left from putting the fire out. water can cause incredible damage to the house structure, so time is of the essence here to reduce any damage potential here. Next they will deal with any smoke odor, removing it from any fabrics. All fabrics such as clothes, furniture and carpets need professional cleaning and deodorization. This requires special materials to do, materials and chemicals that the everyday person does not have access to, as well as specialized knowledge and training to remove these odors. The restoration experts use counteractant chemicals which destroy the smoke molecules and eliminate the smell. There are many different smoke damage counteractants, the one which is selected for use in cleaning your home or business will largely depend on the severity of the fire damage and the type of fabric which was damaged.
The structural materials such as flooring, the walls, tiles and any surfaces in the home also need specialized care. This is often done by thermal fogging. Thermal fogging is the use of a solvent based deodorizer, which when heated turns into a dry fog. This dry fog is safe to use on most surfaces and materials compared to any water based deodorizers, as well as being vastly more effective at removing any odors. This fog instills itself in the hard surfaces and neutralizes the smoke odor. This dry fog from thermal fogging will leave behind a pleasant odor. A non chemical method such as an ozone machine may also be used to remove odors from anything in the home, and this removes odor from water damage as well.
Insurance will generally cover smoke and water damage from a fire. It generally will not cover damage from a fire caused by smoking cigarettes or cigars. Also any fire damage caused by a chimney. Most fires caused by a chimney are caused by the home owners failure to maintain it. It is best to check your policy to see which types of fires are covered and which are not. Most accidental fires will be covered however. Most fire restoration companies can help you with filing your claim. In short fire damage can be a terrible and traumatic event, but the restoration need not be a hassle when done by true professionals.
