Dealing with Smoke Damage Cleanup in Rochester Hills MI

In September 2010, fire struck in two homes in Rochester Hills, Michigan. In both incidents, the fire originated outside of the house, in the garage and in the backyard deck. One of the homes was a complete loss while the other sustained fire damage to half of the building. Being an affluent city where the average value of a home is $237,000, the financial loss caused by a fire to any residence in Rochester Hills would be significant.

While insured homeowners can claim losses from their insurance policies, there is much left to deal with as they try to restore their homes with cleanup the primary concern. Cleaning up a home that has just suffered a fire will involve the cleanup of soot and ashes as well as the removal of smoke. Professionals who specialize in smoke damage Rochester Hills know that restoring the quality of air inside the home will require more than just opening the windows to clear the smoke.

Smoke does a great job of penetrating a home. It can travel up the air ducts, become embedded in curtains, clothes and other textiles and can damage furniture and appliances. It is critical to get rid of smoke as soon as possible. While it is best for the most part to leave smoke removal and cleanup to professionals, there are some things that homeowners can do on their own to prevent further smoke damage.

First of all, never enter a fire-damaged building without asking the fire marshal if it's safe to do so. Once you've got the go-ahead, you may need boardup services to secure your property. By having the gaping parts of the damaged home temporarily boarded up, your home will be safe from natural and criminal elements.

As for the intact structures of the home, both the exterior and interior surfaces need to be cleaned right away. Pressure-wash and scrub all walls, windows, screens and all other exterior surfaces. After washing, disinfect and leave to dry. Wash and disinfect all hard interior surfaces as well using a gentle cleaning agent. Rinse the surfaces thoroughly. The inside of cabinets, drawers and closets should also be cleaned and disinfected.

Wash textiles or better yet have them dry-cleaned. All furnishings must be washed and dusted, too.

As for carpets, upholstery and mattresses, it would be best to bring them to a professional cleaner so they can be properly disinfected and deodorized. While homeowners can clean up these items on their own, hiring an expert whether for boardup services or for carpet cleaning, usually means the job will get done more quickly and more thoroughly. When it comes to the HVAC unit though, a professional definitely needs to handle the cleanup.

Remove the dried residues of fire suppressant materials on surfaces by washing them away with a mild cleaner and scrubbing the surfaces with a brush. Flush and then rinse with clean water. Water down the ground and plants outside to remove ash particulates, which will eventually be absorbed by the ground. Following the simple measures above will help restore a clean and safe environment in the home. Do consider, however, that hiring specialists on fire and smoke damage Rochester Hills usually produce the best results.