Smoke Damage Restoration

12/28/2019 (Permalink)

Basic Restoration Process

Smoke damage to your North Miami, FL, business can be a major hassle. Fortunately, it is possible to thoroughly restore many smoke-damaged items. The following steps outline the basic restoration process:

Take care of any water damage. If you suffered a fire, you will likely have water damage from the fire-extinguishing efforts. Dry out all water before beginning smoke cleaning. If you allow the water to linger for more than about 24 hours, a mold problem may develop.

Clean smoke and soot from surfaces. As soon as the area is dry, you can begin working on cleaning the smoke and soot. It is important to begin as soon as possible because soot damage is often corrosive. The depth of smoke penetration will determine the best cleaning method. There are specialized cleaners and sponges designed for soot and smoke cleaning. Some surfaces may have to be sanded down to fully remove the residue.
Throw out all items that cannot be fully cleaned. Unfortunately, some items will be too damaged to properly clean. Others may require so much restoration work that it would be cheaper to simply replace them.

Repair damaged items. Soot and smoke damage may have corroded some items and discolored others. For items that can be salvaged, you may be able to do simple repairs, such as painting and re-finishing, yourself. For delicate objects or those requiring specialized repairs, you may want to find a contractor with experience in restoring that type of item.

Remove lingering smoke odor. Smoke odor is notoriously persistent. Fortunately, there are several effective types of odor removal. These include ozone treatments, thermal fogging and air purification. Your building may require only one type of treatment or a combination.

In some cases, the restoration process can be too complex for an individual to manage alone. If you feel overwhelmed, a certified restoration company can address smoke damage and any other fire-related issues in your North Miami, FL, business.