What Should Homeowners do After a Fire in Poughkeepsie

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

Remediating fire damage has many layers, from soot removal to removing charred materials.

Tips for Poughkeepsie Homeowners with Fire Damage 

When fire damage occurs, there are often several layers of loss to deal with in the property. The charred fire debris, water cleanup, and smoke odor are the most common issues left behind after a fire. 

There are a few things Poughkeepsie homeowners with fire damage can do before SERVPRO technicians arrive on the scene. 

• Consult with the fire department responding to the call and ascertain if it is safe to reenter the home
• Open the windows to assist in ventilation of the fire loss areas in the home
• Do not attempt to wipe away soot; it has the potential to grind in the soil on fabrics and porous surfaces
• Turn off the HVAC to stop the spread of soot via the ductwork 

When our technicians arrive onsite to mitigate fire damage, we test the residue to determine the best cleaning methods to increase the restoration factor for building materials and possessions. We use multiple approaches for cleaning away smoke residue from surfaces. 

Air quality in the home is a big concern after a fire. SERVPRO technicians ventilate the work area during the cleanup, and we deploy air scrubbers to capture airborne soot particles. Even though we use containment and cover vents to stop soot spread, we inspect the ductwork and clean as necessary to remove any residual smoke odors. 

Through the practices taught by The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, SERVPRO technicians have training and access to specialized equipment to effectively remove smoke and soot from items. This expertise lessens the fire loss for homeowners and saves them from having to replace possessions. 

For fire damaged items that are a loss, our technicians fully document and photograph each phase of fire cleanup and items handled with before and after photos. This report assists in expediting the insurance claims process with proof of restoration services and possessions or portions of the structure that required removal. We work until the fire debris is cleaned up and, if necessary, prepped the residence for rebuilding or repairs. 

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550 serves the local area by providing restoration services 24/7 from fire damage. We're Faster to Any Size Disaster and arrive within an hour to restore your home's preloss condition.