Fire Damage in Preston Hollow- Homeowner Do's and Don'ts

10/31/2016 (Permalink)

Preston Hollow Smoke & Fire Cleanup Can Use SERVPRO for Great Results

SERVPRO Tip: Rely on Professionals for Fire Damage Restoration

Loss of property from fire is always a threat. Once it is over, and the fire department has departed, there is the need to get started and restore your house to its original state.

Fire damage to homes in Preston Hollow can stress out anyone, but SERVPRO encourages homeowners to please take a breath, step back and let us do what we are trained to do. That said, we understand that this is your personal residence and there is an incredible desire to be a part of the solution. If you wish to get involved, here are a list of Do's and Don'ts to follow: However, we wish to emphasize that after a burning event that is severe, rely on professionals, for fire damage restoration.

DO lay down towels that won't bleed color or old sheets on carpets and upholstered furniture to reduce the potential for further damage.
DON'T attempt to clean and carpets or upholstered furniture without first consulting a professional restoration service.
DON'T try to wash any walls.
DO keep to a minimum how much you move in the house to keep soot from being ground into upholstered furniture and carpets.
DO keep your hands clean. Dirt and oils can impregnate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, causing more damage.
DO (if the electricity is off) clean out your refrigerator and freezer and block open the doors. This prevents food from leaving odors in the appliance.

DO clean and protect the chrome on your faucets, trim, and appliances with a small amount of lubricant.
DON'T operate and electrical appliances or equipment until they have been cleaned and checked. Smoke residues can be conductive.
DON'T send clothing with smoke residue to dry cleaners not experienced in cleaning fire-damaged garments. In the case of significant fire damage to soft fabrics and materials, we firmly suggest that we provide this service ourselves or through qualified partners. Odors and residues have unique characteristics which may require IICRC trained technicians to resolve.
DO rinse plants on both sides of the leaves with water to release stress.
DO change the furnace filter and tape folded pieces of cheesecloth over the air registers if the HVAC system was operating during the fire.

DO consider your safety. If the fire department has put your house off-limits, respect that until a final decision has been made. Once inside, do not use any cosmetics or medications that were exposed. They can easily become contaminated. The same goes for any food or beverages that were too close to the heat of the fire, or we wetted by the fire extinguishing efforts of the first responders.

Those of us here at SERVPRO of Northwest Dallas are dedicated to restoring your residence to its pre-fire condition. We understand that the first (and maybe the best) step to putting the damage behind you is to spend that first night back in your own bedroom. To get the process started, call us today at (214) 361-7887.