Fire Damage: What Next?

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

If you have fire / smoke damage call your experts at SERVPRO of North Central San Antonio we are AWAYS here to help!

Fire and smoke damage can be devastating, and most people don’t know what their options are when disaster strikes. We want to arm you with knowledge so if you ever are the victim of a fire, you’ll know what to do, and what not to do, until help arrives.

DO:

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
• Keep your hands clean! Soot on your hands can further soil your items, walls, and woodwork.
• Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If your electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.
• Wipe soot from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances, then protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant.
• If heat is off in the winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilets bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.
• Change HVAC filter, but leave system off until a trained professional can check the system.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of HVAC systems.
• Ask your insurance adjuster about us. We’re faster to any size disaster!

DON’T:

• Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces.
• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting us.
• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TVs, radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.
• Consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat, or water because they might have been contaminated.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary damage.
• Send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.

These emergency tips will assist you in taking the proper action until our SERVPRO of North Central San Antonio Professionals can arrive. Please follow these dos and don’ts to help reduce damage and increase the changes of a successful restoration "Like it never even happened."