Emergency Response for Fire Damage Restoration

Fire and smoke damage restoration near you

If your property has been damaged by fire, we know how overwhelming the situation can be. Not only do you have to deal with the emotional impact of the damage, but you also must find a reliable fire damage restoration service to get your property back to its pre-fire condition.

At ServiceMaster of St. Charles, we specialize in restoring homes that have been damaged by fire. We understand the urgency of the situation and are dedicated to providing the highest quality of fire damage restoration services. Our experienced technicians will work quickly and efficiently to restore your property and get it back to its pre-fire condition.

While every fire emergency is different, the restoration process often starts with similar activities. In many cases, work cannot even start until debris has been removed and a clear path has been created.

fire damage restoration process:

Home Inspection

We often start by addressing any safety issues related to the electrical power, structural integrity of the building, and its HVAC system. For instance, we will inspect the furnace and air conditioning units, replace filters and then cover vents to prevent cross contamination of smoke and odor into other areas.

Emergency Board Up

In cases of fire and storm damage, our emergency response team can board up and tarp your home or business to secure and protect it.

Fires often create breeches in the home or building structure that could lead to further damage from vandalism or weather elements. ServiceMaster can work with you to get your home or business boarded up as quickly as possible.

Emergency Water Damage Mitigation

Firefighting activities typically leave an affected area with a large amount of water and moisture. So, one of our initial activities is to extract this excess water, check the flooring and structural components for remaining moisture and then set up drying and dehumidifying equipment.

Emergency Pre-Cleaning

Emergency pre-cleaning can play a critical role in mitigating damage and minimizing replacement costs. Fires can leave an acidic residue that can cause irreversible damage in a short period of time to fixtures, appliances and other at-risk surfaces like marble, stone, grout, aluminum and glass. It needs to be removed as quickly as possible.

Once these initial steps have been taken, we can begin initial odor control measures such as ventilating the property, applying deodorizers, and placing air filtration units throughout. We can also assist with the emptying of refrigerators and freezers to prevent odors from spoiling food and arrange for emergency laundry/dry cleaning to provide several changes of clothing for immediate use.

You can count on our team for fire and smoke damage restoration. Give us a call at(636) 251-5301 or contact us online to see how we can help.

Fire Damage Recovery Tips

After experiencing fire damage to your home, taking prompt and appropriate action can help minimize further damage. Here are some safe and timely steps, along with guidelines for what to do and what to avoid:

What to Do:

1. Blow off or brush-vacuum: Remove loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes, and carpets.

2. Cover carpeted areas: Place towels or old linens on carpeted traffic areas to prevent additional soiling.

3. Dispose of open food packages: Contaminated food should be discarded.

4. Clean the refrigerator and freezer: If electrical service is off, clean out these appliances, leave the doors propped open, or place charcoal inside to prevent odor buildup.

5. Seek professional dry cleaning: Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified dry cleaner.

6. Clean formica and chrome fixtures: Prevent permanent tarnishing in the kitchen and bathroom.

7. Wipe porcelain bath fixtures: This helps prevent etching.

8. Clean house plants: Wipe the leaves to remove smoke residue.

9. Change the air filter: If your furnace uses forced hot air, replace the air filter.

10. Use cheese cloth: Tape cheese cloth over intake and outlet air registers to capture loose soot in the air, especially if it's damp.

11. Air out the house: If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, ventilate your home to reduce smoke odor.

What Not to Do:

1. Don't attempt to clean walls: Do not try to wash papered or flat painted walls without consulting a professional cleaner, as incorrect cleaning procedures could worsen soot residue.

2. Don't clean carpets or upholstered furniture: Incorrect procedures may cause more damage.

3. Don't use electrical appliances: Do not use appliances that have been near fire or water without having them checked, as they could malfunction.

4. Avoid ceiling fixtures: If the ceiling is wet, do not use ceiling fixtures, as a short circuit could occur.

5. Don't touch anything: Soot on your hands can penetrate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, causing additional damage.

6. Avoid eating exposed food: Do not consume food that has been exposed to fire or smoke.

7. Don't delay: Do not wait to call for professional help. Reach out to experts promptly to address the damage.

Following these "do's" and "don'ts" can help you take appropriate steps to restore your home to its pre-damage condition while avoiding costly mistakes.

Our experts are on standby for fire damage restoration for your home. Call (636) 251-5301 or contact us online to get back on track ASAP