Flame or Soot: Restoring a home after a fire can be stressful

11/7/2024 (Permalink)

Fire damage can be devastating. Give us a call today, and we will make the restoration process as easy as possible for you.

Our SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North emergency response crews recently responded to a couple of commercial fires, a hi-rise condo building and an older apartment building. Restoring a home — whether a condo, apartment or single-family — after fire damage is a difficult and emotional process. Not only are we here to help with the cleanup and restoration of your property, but for your family as well.

Flames can cause the most visible damage to your property but the most damage comes from the smoke and soot. Soot is a coating of fine, black dust created when substances are burned. Inhaling soot can cause health effects. It is important to our team that we get rid of all the after-effects of the fire — not only the damage but also the odor. Our expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.

Before restoration begins, a member of our SERVPRO Team Gutierrez restoration crew will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will be based on which type of smoke damage there is. Below are the different types of smoke:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore, smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire.

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.

Call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Rockville, Olney & Silver Spring North when you're in need of cleaning after fire strikes. We know it is hard seeing your home in flames and we are here to restore it as swiftly and best we can. We're here to help 24/7. 301-340-1313.