RESIDENTIAL SMOKE DAMAGE & SOOT REMOVAL SERVICES

Even after a fire has been extinguished, damage to your home and belongings continues. That’s why it’s so important to prevent further damage by calling in a professional who knows the right way to deal with soot, smoke and odor.

Step one: Call your insurance company and the pros at ServiceMaster Restore by Empire.

The residue left behind after a fire is a biohazard and can cause health problems if it is not taken care of correctly and thoroughly. We’ll quickly assess the damage to find out the costs for fire restoration—and examine if there’s any additional damage from water or other factors. Once the amount of damage is determined, we’ll come up with an estimate for the cleaning and restoration.

HOW MORE THAN JUST FIRE CAN DAMAGE YOUR HOME

• In just a few minutes, smoke can discolor the walls.
• Within a few hours, finishes on kitchen appliances can discolor.
• Smoke causes etching in glass after just a short time.
• Smoke will tarnish metal quickly.
• Ash and smoke can continue to cause damage and corrosion to materials left behind.

TO ENSURE SUPERIOR REMOVAL OF SOOT, SMOKE AND ODOR DAMAGE, WE:

• Clean the ash residue that builds up on surfaces before it spreads
• Neutralize the odors to keep them from returning
• Remove the troubling reminders of soot, odor and stains from at-risk items such as brass, aluminum, chrome, marble, tile, porcelain, as well as fabrics, upholstery & carpets
• Deodorize the carpets & curtains before they are cleaned
• Use special chemicals that break up the molecules in the smoke to get rid of the odors before dry cleaning your clothing

HOW TO HELP PREVENT PUFFBACKS

Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent a puffback, annual inspection and maintenance of your oil burner or furnace can greatly reduce your risk. So be sure to have your oil burner and furnace system cleaned regularly.

QUICK TIPS: WHAT YOU SHOULD OR SHOULDN’T DO AFTER A FIRE TO REDUCE ODORS & SOOT

• If the temperature is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.
• If it uses forced hot air, change the air filter on the furnace.
• Tape damp cheesecloth over returns, and supply registers to capture loose soot in the air.
• Do not touch anything with your bare hands. Oils from hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork, causing additional damage.
• Do not wash walls. Incorrect cleaning could compound the soot residue.

Warning: Do not attempt to clean up your home after a fire or you may cause more damage.