How To Clean Up Fire Damage

CONTENTS

• Get in touch with your insurance provider
• Ventilate the property
• Decide which belongings to dispose of
• Employ a professional fire damage cleaning company
  • Odour neutralisation services
• We're here to help

Knowing where to start when fire damage has occurred can be overwhelming, as the destruction is often significant. Hiring in specialists to clean any harm is vital, as they have the knowledge and specialist equipment required to remediate the situation.

Here at ICE Cleaning, we provide specialist fire damage cleaning services nationwide. Our technicians have years of experience in the industry and understand the complexities and intricacies that come with this type of cleaning.

Continue reading to find out what steps you can take to prepare the property before the professionals arrive on scene.

Get in touch with your insurance provider

Following a fire, it is important to get in touch with your insurance provider to let them know that you have suffered a fire at your property.

The insurance company will guide you through the steps on how to make a claim, so be sure to keep in contact with them regularly. Make sure you keep your insurance policy on hand during the process too, and replace it if it has been destroyed.

You may even need to move out of the property while the damage is being repaired to protect your safety if the repair work needed is significant. If you wish to learn more about how fire insurance works, take a look at this information written by MoneySupermarket.

Ventilate the property

Make sure to open windows and doors where you can in the property to allow fresh air to circulate and limit the possibility of you being exposed to dangerous substances. 

It is important not to enter the property unless it has been declared safe to do so by the local health authorities. Even then, you should strictly limit visits until the fire damage has been remediated - and remember to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard your health.

At ICE Cleaning, our technicians follow stringent safety guidelines throughout their work due to the dangers present. They work hard to ensure the well-being of all people on site. To this end, we are proud to have received several industry accreditations, including with:

• IOSH
• IPAF
• Safe Contractor

For more information about the dangers involving third-hand smoke, have a read of this article written by the Mayo Clinic.

Decide which belongings to dispose of

Unfortunately, fire damage can leave many belongings beyond repair. A fire will destroy possessions in its wake, leaving you with having to decide what to keep and what to throw away.

It is a difficult choice, as many of these are prized possessions. However, third hand smoke residue may remain on your items, which can be damaging to your health. Bear this in mind when making any decisions.

Any larger appliances, such as those with electrical components, should not be used or switched on unless they have been safety checked. Even then, they might need to be disposed of if the fire damage is significant. 

Our specialists here at ICE Cleaning can remove unwanted belongings from your property in a safe manner. We are fully qualified to dispose of any hazardous waste, so you know you're in safe hands.

Employ a professional fire damage cleaning company

Our cleaning specialists are equipped with the expertise to perform the job effectively and to a high standard. They will carry out everything from soot and ash removal to deep cleaning the area.

What's more, we offer complete flexibility to our customers. As we operate 24/7, 365 days a year, our services can be scheduled to meet your individual needs. This could involve working through the night if needed.

At ICE Cleaning, our dedicated customer service team are here to help you with whatever you need throughout the process, so don't hesitate to get in touch. Not only this, but someone will be in touch after the clean to make sure you're happy with everything and to address an concerns you may have.

Odour neutralisation services

The experts can even carry out an odour neutralisation service as well. This will remedy any unpleasant odours left behind from the fire, returning your property to a safe and hygienic condition. 

Smoke odours linger for long periods following a fire. causing an array of health risks. It could also be detrimental when it comes to selling the house if it has been left untreated. A prospective buyer will not be impressed by a house that still smells of smoke damage, so it is best to have it treated before you sell the property.

Have a read of our blog about the impact of smoke odours on your home where we explore this issue in more detail.

Wear protective clothing

If you are required to enter the house, make sure to wear protective equipment. This should include a mask to reduce the chances of inhaling harmful substances.

Additionally, you must avoid contact with any smoke damage. Wearing long items of clothing can help with this. However, if you are exposed to any smoke matter, be sure to clean your skin promptly afterwards.

Before the specialists begin work, you may wish to wash down tables and countertops if possible. Be aware that this will not completely eradicate the issue though, as expert equipment is needed.

We're here to help

Reach out to our friendly support team on 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk to find out more about our fire damage cleaning services.