Who Cleans Up After A House Fire

• Why you should not clean up fire damage yourself
• The benefits of professional fire damage cleaners
• The fire restoration process
  • The fire damage is inspected
  • The property is prepared for clean up
  • Water from extinguishing methods is removed
  • The fire damage is removed
• What you should do after a fire
• Get in touch

After a house fire, it is the property owner's responsibility to clean up the fire damage and make it safe again. If you live in rental property, it may be your responsibility if the fire was your fault. This is not to say that you should attempt to clean it up fire damage yourself, however. You should always bring in fire damage cleaning professionals. 

Here at ICE Cleaning, we offer our comprehensive fire restoration services across the UK. Our fully qualified technicians can take care of the entire aftermath of a fire including removing soot and wash, collecting waste, and neutralising any lingering odours in your home. 

Keep reading to find out what you should do after a fire and why you must not attempt fire damage cleaning. 

Why you should not clean up fire damage yourself

Cleaning up after a fire is no small task. It's not just about sweeping away the ashes, but also dealing with smoke residue, soot, and potential structural issues.

Firstly, it can be physically dangerous to tackle this on your own. Fire can weaken structures in ways that are not always visible to the untrained eye. Floors might give way or walls could collapse if disturbed without proper safety measures.

Fires produce a cocktail of chemicals as various materials burn, too. Plastics, paints, and other household items might create toxic fumes long after flames are extinguished. Without the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), you could breathe them in and put yourself at risk of serious health problems.

The soot and smoke damage left behind by a fire are harmful, as well. Microscopic soot particles will cover every surface and when inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin and eyes could lead to serious problems including coronary heart disease, asthma, and cancer. You can learn more about the dangers of fire damage in this blog. 

Soot is a greasy substance and its particles can settle into every crevice like carpets, furniture, and upholstery which makes them hard to clean without professional equipment. A thorough clean up is essential as even traces of fire and smoke damage can put people's health at risk. 

The benefits of professional fire damage cleaners

When it comes to dealing with the aftermath of a house fire, calling in professionals is crucial. Firstly, experts know how to clean up after a fire. They can identify and deal with hazardous substances left by fires such as soot or residual chemicals, and use special equipment and PPE to make sure that these harmful materials are removed safely.

They will also have experience removing fire damage from a range of surfaces, including delicate ones, and can save far more than you would think possible. 

They can provide any other specialist cleaning services that you may require, as well, like mould remediation. Mould growth is a common problem after house fires due to the fire extinguishing methods used by firefighters. It must be tended to by professionals to minimise damage to your property and protect people's health. 

Finally, professionals can give you peace of mind that your property will be made safe again during what tends to be a very stressful time. They can quickly restore your property as close to its original state as possible so you can get back to normal. 

The fire restoration process

The fire damage is inspected 

To start, an immediate assessment is carried out to evaluate the extent of the fire and smoke damage. This step helps professionals devise a tailored plan for clean up. 

The property is prepared for clean up

Fire damage professionals put up tarps to prevent further damage to the unaffected areas of the property and stop people entering. Any personal possessions will also be removed to allow the cleaners to thoroughly clean up the damage and so fire damaged items can be repaired.

Water from extinguishing methods is removed

Professionals will use specialist vacuums to get rid of standing water and dry out your property with industrial dehumidifiers and fans. Quick drying is essential as mould can start growing within 24-48 hours. 

The fire damage is removed

Any soot and ash on surfaces is removed using specialist equipment and methods. Professionals also carry out odour neutralisation to get rid of the pungent smoke odour. 

What you should do after a fire

First, make sure that your property is secure. Remove all valuable possessions if it is safe to re-enter your home, and close and lock all doors and windows. You may also need to board up windows and doors to ensure no one can break in to the property. 

Next, contact your insurance company. Check what your policy covers in your situation, make a list of damaged goods and the damage to your property, and take photos if safe to do so. Keep receipts and quotes for restoration work, as well, for the claim. 

Then, get in touch with your electricity, gas, and water suppliers to arrange any repairs and reconnections. Should any valuable documents have been lost in the fire like passports and driver's licenses, contact the relevant organisation to replace them. 

One of the most important steps to take is getting in touch with a professional cleaning company, like ICE Cleaning, to start the process of cleaning up the fire damage. You can find out more about what to do following a fire here. 

Get in touch

Our specialist cleaners have many years of experience cleaning up after fires and can provide you with professional support throughout the restoration process. They operate round the clock, 365 days a year, and in an emergency can be on site within several hours. 

Contact our team today on 0208 066 0360 or send them an email today at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk to find out more about our fire damage cleaning services.