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Removing smoke and fire damage should be on top of your to-do list after a fire occurs in your home or commercial property.

Even if it was a minor fire, just opening a window and letting your house air out won’t be enough. Fire soot, ash, and smoke can penetrate furniture and fabrics, clothing, equipment such as fridges and freezers, even the walls and ceilings.

The health hazards of living in a fire-affected environment are immeasurable. That’s why, once your home has been inspected for structural safety, it’s time to commit to a thorough and proper fire clean-up.

It’s in your best interest to hire professional restoration services to ensure the health and safety of you and all of your household members, but there are a few things you can do yourself if the fire and smoke damage weren’t too catastrophic.

The Equipment Needed for Fire Cleanup

There are several pieces of equipment you’ll need if you’re attempting a DIY damage restoration, most of which you likely have at home already:

• Rubbing alcohol
• De-greaser
• Vacuum cleaner
• Fan
• Rags and sponges
• Dry-cleaning sponge
• PPE / safety equipment (goggles, mask, gloves)

You won’t be able to clean your home thoroughly without professional equipment, but you might be able to repair some of the fire damage or smoke damage.

Keep in mind that DIY fire cleanup and smoke damage restoration is a demanding task, and you might end up investing more money in it than you’d hoped. Professional fire cleanup could very well end up being more affordable in the long run, despite the time and money you initially put into DIY fire cleanup.

By hiring professional fire cleanup and fire restoration services, you’ll get access to top-graded equipment that’s designed specifically for handling smoke and fire damage. From HEPA-certified air scrubbers to negative air machines and specialty vacuums, you’ll get exactly the tools you need and skilled experts who know how to operate them.

The Stains from the Smoke

Removing smoke damage can be a nightmare without professional equipment.

Dry-cleaning sponges, de-greasers, and rubbing alcohol can only go so far as to remove some of the surface stains. Even painting the walls afterwards won’t successfully cover the smoke damage.

As smoke stains tend to penetrate deep within the walls, you’ll need specialty deep-cleaning tools that can lift them and remove them without leaving a trace.

Experienced fire cleanup and disaster restoration technicians will inspect your home for smoke stains and accompanying fire damage, and bring industrial equipment that can handle it, leaving your home in pristine condition.

The Lasting Smell from the Fire

Unfortunately, with household equipment and tools, it would be nearly impossible to eliminate the smell from the fire. Odours get soaked up in the walls, floors, and furniture, and regardless of how hard you clean, that fire smell will likely linger on.

All you can do is ventilate your home well and remove as much loose debris and stains as you can.

Only with professional services will you be able to eliminate the odours entirely. Fire restoration experts have more than expensive tools to get rid of the smell from the fire – they have skills and experience that help them understand exactly where the smells are hiding and how they can be best removed.

Situations Where You’ll Need Professional Assistance

Relying on professional restoration emergency services is in your best interest in most fire cleanup situations.

Experts will have industrial equipment that will help them restore your home and ensure your well-being. They’ll approach the fire damage restoration methodically, inspecting and deep-cleaning every corner of your home.

Only with professional assistance will you be able to remove any lingering odours, stains, and damage.

First Response: Your Ottawa Fire Cleanup Specialists

Our team at First Response uses cutting-edge tools to bring your home or commercial property to its former glory.

We’re armed with industry expertise, skill, and experience, and we’ll help you ensure a safe and healthy environment after a fire accident for you and your family.

If you’ve experienced a fire and are in need of professional fire cleanup in Ottawa, contact us today.