What to Expect from the Fire Cleanup Process

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO teams suit up to clean up any fire damage!

As if a commercial fire in San Diego, CA weren’t enough of a nightmare, the cleanup process can be difficult to deal with if you aren’t properly prepared or informed. Whether it’s dealing with insurance companies or keeping track of all the damaged or destroyed assets, it’s important to know the proper procedure in such an event. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to make sure you’re up to speed on what the fire cleanup process will entail:

1. Emergency Contact

Once you’re sure all your employees are safe and the fire is gone, your first point of contact should be a fire and smoke damage restoration professional. Such an organization will inspect the property for fire and soot damage, including what can be salvaged or what needs to be replaced.

2. Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Depending on the severity and extent of the smoke damage, the restoration professional will begin the smoke cleaning process by boarding up missing windows and walls, as well as placing tarps on damaged roofs. This protects the property from the elements and increases security for the professionals to do their work.

3. Water Removal

Most commercial buildings are fitted with sprinklers in the event of a fire. This can do wonders in preventing severe fire damage but can also cause water damage. In such an event, restoration professionals will treat and dry the affected area.

4. Smoke and Soot Removal

Using specialized equipment and techniques, the restoration professionals will treat all surfaces, including walls and ceilings, for soot and smoke damage.

5. Cleaning and Sanitizing

All items that weren’t completely destroyed by the fire or smoke will then be cleaned. A high-quality restoration professional will use specialized techniques and equipment that will restore mildly damaged belongings to their pre-fire condition. This will also involve odor removal.

6. Restoration

The final step, restoration, involves minor or extensive repairs of drywall and other affected structural areas to return the building to its pre-fire condition.