How To Restore Your Home Post-Fire

10/27/2021 (Permalink)

Severe fire damage in an Antioch, TN home.

How to Restore Your Home After a Fire

In Antioch, TN, there are quick and easy steps every homeowner and renter can take to begin cleaning the home. While you should wait to clean any surfaces or items thoroughly until a restoration professional has surveyed and tested the space, here is what you can do right away to decrease smoke damage.

1. Purify the Air

The first task is to replace the HVAC filters to help clean the air in your home. Other ways to begin this process is to allow air to circulate by opening windows and to wipe down any houseplants so they can also aid in purifying the air. For more persistent odor, placing a bowl of white vinegar in the room may reduce the smoke smell. These are small actions to take that can make a big difference in the time leading up to a professional reaching the site.

2. Cleaning of Soot To Reduce Damage

Soot coating the walls and floors add to the odor from smoke damage. Soot and smoke cleaning should be postponed until a professional technician is on-site to care for these tasks personally. However, a light gloss of oil or petroleum jelly on chrome can prevent further soot damage.

3. Limit Foot Traffic

Minimizing movement through the house keeps soot and smoke stains from being ground into the carpets and rugs. The key to reducing the damage in your home is to decrease contact with the stains and stagnant air, so lay down protective coverings in areas where you need to walk. This also helps to prepare for when a survey of the area is done by a professional.

Experiencing a fire in your home can be daunting, but taking these simple steps against smoke damage can make restoring the space easier. Your safety is most important so, while you can take action to clean your home, consulting a professional is likely to ensure the safest restoration possible.