Smoke and Soot Damage Must Be Attended To Quickly Following a Fire
Experiencing a fire in the home is one of the worst scenarios any homeowner can face. The shock of discovering flames overtaking an area inside the house is not only terrifying but the aftereffects can leave you dazed and confused-wondering what steps should be taken in order repair the damage done. It goes without saying that you should quickly notify your insurer immediately following a fire. Your insurance company will work with you to ensure that all of the paperwork has been filed correctly so that you get any compensation due. The next step is to get the cleanup underway.
It is very important that you address the damage quickly, even though you may feel that you need a few days to calm down. While you can certainly try to remove the smoke smell and the odor on your own, it is much better if you hire a professional fire restoration company to do the job for you. These people have the expertise and well as the proper equipment and chemicals to get the job done properly. Smoke easily permeates walls and other surfaces and drifts through household ducts, where it can become trapped. If this smoke is not removed, it can cause the smoke odor to reoccur during warm and damp weather. This is where a process called thermal fogging comes into play. Thermal fogging is a process that utilizes a special deodorizer that is warmed and applied as a dry fog to the affected areas in the home. It is safe to use on most surfaces and it is far more effective against neutralizing smoke odors than any water based deodorizer. The fog will leave behind a pleasant odor that will neutralize the unwanted smell of smoke. An ozone generator is another tool that is commonly used to tackle the lingering smell of smoke following a fire.
Smoke damaged furnishings can be restored by pumping ozone into a special container where the items are placed for treatment. Many insurance companies actually insist that ozone generators be used to prevent further claims, so they are quite effective. There are other types of ozone generators used as well, such as the models that are brought into damaged rooms and turned on to run for several hours. The ozone fills the entire room and comes into contact with the walls, floors and ceilings in order to oxidize the smell of smoke.
