What Is the Best Way to Clean Fire Damage?

Professional fire damage cleaning services at ATI Restoration are the most effective method of cleaning up various types of damage that can occur after a fire. Whether in a residential or commercial property, our teams have the expertise, experience, and resources to handle every aspect of fire damage restoration, from removing soot and odors to making significant structural repairs.

Below, we explain how to identify the types of damage your property may have sustained and how to approach cleaning some of these issues yourself. However, if you don’t have the time or confidence to clean the damage yourself, our teams are standing by 24/7/365 to assess the damage, create a customized recovery plan, and get your property back to normal with our expert fire damage cleaning services.

ATI Restoration has helped businesses and homeowners across the nation. As the country’s oldest family-operated restoration and reconstruction company, we have offices throughout the United States. Our fire and smoke damage technicians are highly trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC). Call us today to learn more about our fire damage cleaning services. We can help your property get back to its original state or better quickly and safely.

Understanding Different Types of Soot and Fire Damage and How to Treat Them

Soot particles pose significant health risks and can spread through HVAC systems; professional fire damage cleaning services are recommended to ensure the safety of occupants. In order to effectively clean fire damage, you must first understand the type of damage you are addressing. Different types of damage require specific approaches:

• Dry vs. wet smoke: Wet smoke is caused by burning rubber or plastic; it is sticky and hard to remove. Dry smoke, on the other hand, is created by materials like paper and wood; it leaves a powdery residue that can settle in cracks.
• Synthetic substances: Black soot caused by burning plastics and fabrics sticks to surfaces and is best handled by professionals using vacuuming and dry-chem sponges.
• Protein material: Fires involving proteins leave a greasy, yellow-brown residue that is difficult to clean and requires specialty chemicals.

Whether you are facing the aftermath of dry smoke or wet smoke, whether the fire involved synthetic substances or proteins, swift action is needed to protect your property. The experts at ATI Restoration know how to identify different types of fire damage and tailor a recovery plan based on your specific needs.

How to Remove the Odor of Smoke After a Fire

Even small fires can cause smoke and soot damage that need immediate attention. Delays in addressing the damage can exacerbate losses and compromise the well-being of occupants.

If your property has sustained soot and odor damage, consider the following:

• Start smoke damage restoration as soon as possible: Begin the restoration process immediately to prevent smoke odor from setting into your property and belongings.
• Remove smoke-contaminated items: To reduce smoke odor inside the building, dispose of irreparable items and clean salvageable ones off-site.
• Ensure proper air circulation: Improve airflow by opening windows and using fans to help dissipate smoke odors and moisture.
• Use positive pressure ventilation: A fan at the door should push fresh air in while allowing smoke odors to exhaust out, room by room.
• Clean soot from fabrics: Gently vacuum soot from fabrics and upholstery without pressing down to avoid further stains and odors.
• Address soot stains and odors on clothing: Use smoke odor counteractants as directed to break down smoke molecules in clothing.
• Consider professional dry cleaning: For smaller smoke-damaged items, professional dry cleaning can be an effective and affordable solution.
• Use ozone or fumigation tents for large items: Ozone treatments in fumigation tents work well for large smoke-affected items like rugs and furniture.
• Thermal fogging for deeper odor elimination: Thermal fogging spreads deodorizer into hard-to-reach areas, effectively neutralizing smoke odors, and often requires professional equipment.

ATI Restoration offers soot and odor removal services for commercial and residential properties. Equipped with advanced technology and industry-leading techniques, we restore properties to their original state—or even better—in the shortest time possible.

How to Clean Smoke-Damaged Walls

Porous materials, such as wallpaper, drywall, and ceiling tiles can be virtually impossible to clean without the proper tools and techniques. Improper or aggressive cleaning can make the problem worse and increase the risk of permanent damage. To ensure the issue is handled correctly, it is in your best interest to seek professional fire damage cleaning services.

If you want to attempt to clean some smoke damage from walls yourself, consider the following:

• Ensure your safety: Wear protective gear to avoid exposure to soot and harsh cleaning agents.
• Ventilate the area: Improve airflow with fans and open windows, avoiding HVAC use until cleaning is complete.
• Remove loose particles: Use a HEPA-filter vacuum to remove loose soot from walls before deeper cleaning.
• Use a dry sponge: Wipe walls with a dry sponge in vertical motions to lift soot without spreading it.
• Perform a chemical clean: Apply trisodium phosphate (TSP) or a soot remover with a sponge, working from the bottom up for thorough cleaning.
• Rinse and dry: Rinse walls with water and dry them to remove residue and prevent mold growth.

How to Clean Smoke-Damaged Carpets

Carpets can absorb a significant amount of smoke and soot during and after a fire, requiring deep cleaning to restore them.

• Begin by vacuuming the carpet thoroughly with a HEPA-filtered vacuum to remove loose particles.
• Use a steam cleaner with a suitable cleaning solution to lift embedded soot from the carpet fibers.
• Consider professional cleaning if odors persist, as DIY methods may not fully eliminate smoke smells.

How to Remove Soot from Laminate and Wood Flooring

Though non-porous, wood and laminate flooring can trap soot in grains and crevices, requiring prompt cleaning.

• Vacuum with a soft brush attachment to lift loose particles without scratching the surface.
• Dry clean with a microfiber cloth to remove residual soot gently.
• Use a cleaner formulated for your flooring type, and rinse thoroughly to prevent damage or discoloration.
• Dry the area completely to avoid warping.

How to Clean Smoke-Damaged Ceilings

Soot often settles on ceilings, making them prone to smoke and soot damage after a fire.

• Use a dry-cleaning sponge, similar to the method for walls, to remove surface soot.
• For persistent stains, use TSP or a specialized smoke cleaner, taking care to clean, rinse, and dry gently.
• Cover floors and furniture with plastic sheeting before starting, and work in small sections to prevent streaking.

How to Remove Soot and Smoke from Furniture and Contents

Cleaning fire-damaged furniture depends on the material and extent of the damage.

• For wooden furniture or cabinets, start with a soft brush vacuum and follow up with mild detergent wiping.
• Upholstered furniture may require a specialized cleaner and vacuum designed for fabrics.
• Delicate items and important documents should be handled by professionals to avoid further damage.

Sprinkler Water Damage Restoration Steps

Fire damage isn’t always restricted to damage caused by smoke, soot, and flames. Many times, water from sprinklers or the fire department response can cause severe water damage in residential and commercial properties.

Generally speaking, the process for restoring a property that has sustained water damage includes the following steps:

• Inspection and damage assessment: First, you’ll need to understand the scope of the damage. This is done through a comprehensive inspection and damage assessment. At ATI Restoration, our HAZWOPER-trained technicians conduct a detailed inspection to assess the type and extent of water damage and then tailor a customized restoration plan.
• Removal of damaged or vulnerable items: Items made from wood, cloth, or other porous materials are relocated to prevent further damage, with restoration or replacement as needed.
• Water and moisture extraction: This can be extremely difficult without the proper equipment and knowledge. ATI Restoration uses advanced equipment, including pumps and dehumidifiers, to extract water and moisture efficiently.
• Dehumidification: Use dehumidifiers and fans to thoroughly dry affected areas. This will help prevent mold and mildew.
• Repair and restoration: If structural damage or stains are present, ATI Restoration provides cleaning and reconstruction services to restore your property to its original condition or better.

Professional Care Is Essential for Fire- and Smoke-Damaged Structures

Although DIY cleaning is possible, the risks of incomplete soot removal, improper cleaning, and potential damage make professional fire damage cleaning services essential. ATI Restoration provides expert, comprehensive services to restore fire and smoke-damaged properties, using advanced techniques and equipment to ensure that properties are restored to their original condition.

Our services include:

• Soot and Odor Removal: Specialized techniques like thermal fogging and ozone generation eliminate smoke odors and soot from all surfaces.
• Structural Cleaning and Decontamination: We use methods like sandblasting and chemical treatments to remove smoke and soot, even from hard-to-reach areas.
• Contents Cleaning and Restoration: Our team restores furniture, electronics, and valuables to pre-damage condition in residential and commercial properties.
• Air Duct Cleaning and HVAC Restoration: Thorough cleaning of HVAC systems in residential and commercial properties ensures fresh, breathable air throughout the property.
• Carpet and Floor Restoration: We use professional cleaning methods to revitalize carpets, tile, and wood flooring.
• Emergency Board-Up and Property Reconstruction: Our team provides board-up services to prevent additional damage to residential and commercial properties affected by fire and smoke damage.