A good damage restoration contractor can save you a lot of time, money and hassle by salvaging, cleaning and restoring items that other contractors may not know how to save, but even the best companies will leave some steps of the cleanup process to you. To ensure a quick return to your normal living situation, consider the following tips:
Leave the big cleanup to the professionals. Don’t attempt to wash walls, shampoo carpet or clean upholstery without approval from your restoration contractor—utilizing improper methods can exacerbate the damage and permanently set stains. You should also get permission to clean heavy items (including waterlogged items) and potentially hazardous areas.
Have electrical appliances and lights inspected. Appliances that have been exposed to fire and water can be electrical hazards. Ceiling fans and lights should be inspected by an electrician to rule out wiring damage or electrical problems that could potentially reignite and cause another disaster.
Don’t track dirt and soot around your home. Limit moving around in fire-damaged areas of your home until they’re cleaned by a professional. If you must enter rooms that have been damaged by fire and smoke, put down towels, rugs or protective coverings before walking on the flooring to avoid tracking dirt into other areas of the home. Wash your hands frequently so you don’t carry dirt into clean areas.
Cover heating and air conditioning registers. Air movement can stir soot and ash within your home, so shut air vents and mask them with plastic in areas where you don’t need air circulation. In rooms that require heating or cooling, secure layered sections of cheesecloth over the air ducts to allow air flow.
Protect chrome surfaces. Chrome and stainless steel surfaces such as appliances, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, and sinks can become stained or damaged by soot. To prevent this, clean and protect them by lightly coating them with baby oil or petroleum jelly.
Throw out damaged food products. Some prepackaged foods and drinks can become inedible after being exposed to extreme heat or firefighting chemicals.
Care for your clothing. Regular dry cleaners can actually set in smoke odors, so talk to a cleaning professional about the best ways to clean your clothing.
