Fire damage is always a devastating experience, irrespective of whether it’s a commercial or residential property that is in question.

It is always ideal to approach a professional fire damage restoration company for handling a serious issue like fire damage smoke cleanup. However, there are some things that you can do to motivate the process or make it easier for professionals.

On the flip side, you should also keep in mind that there are some things that can hinder or oppose a smooth fire damage smoke cleanup.

This blog post lists the dos and don’ts when it comes to fire damage smoke cleanup.

DOS

Turn off Utilities

Home or commercial property owners overlook the possibility of fire retriggers from any utility that has been turned on. In the chaos and urgency to evacuate, it can be normal, but foresee this possibility and return to inspect all the utilities.

Ensure that you turn off the water, gas and electricity. This will make it easier for your fire damage restoration specialists to verify and report about the damage sustained by any of the systems in question.

A quick vacuum job

Fire damage can leave soot and ash behind, which can grind into your upholstery if you let it sit. This is where a quick vacuum job can be handy, ensure that use vacuum to go over the upholstered furniture and cover it with a plastic sheet.

This can offer a quick, easy and efficient start for the fire damage restoration professionals.

Inspect your carpets, floors and countertops

Make it a point to include the carpets, floors and countertops to your vacuum list. In case you have used excessive water to kill the fire and your carpets looks beyond repair, it is ideal to toss them out.

Cleaning the countertop and floors will help you to prevent the soot from deeply staining or adhering to the surface.

DON’Ts

Turn on electrical appliances

While using a fan to get rid of the smoke odor or water logged after the fire damage, it is not ideal to use the one that was exposed to fire damage.

Turning on the electrical appliances is a risk as we do not know the extent of damage sustained or the intensity of the damage.

Getting a powerful fan from a hardware shop nearby can be the better solution here.

Cleanup fire extinguisher powder

While you will be tempted to clean up the powder from the fire extinguisher, it is ideal to leave it to the professionals. Powder from a fire extinguisher comes with a conglomerate of chemicals inhaling or handling it without proper supervision can lead to health issues.

Don’t eat exposed food

Eating food exposed to fire is a big no no. Consuming fire contaminated food can easily lead to health issues. This food will be definitely exposed to soot, fire, ash and other agents whatever that was used to extinguish the fire.

When it comes to fire damage smoke cleanup, the sooner, you start the process the easier it would be to bring things back to normal. Stick with these DIY tips, but if the intensity of the fire or damage seems to be on the higher end, leave the ultimate task to the fire damage restoration specialists.