Ash and smoke can travel throughout a structure, and damages can accumulate and worsen long after the fire has been put out. Extinguishing the flames of a house fire is only the first step of the recovery and restoration process.
Smoke odors aren’t always contained in the area that the fire occurred in. Wildfire smoke can spread long distances when carried by the wind, or the smoke from a neighboring structure fire can permeate through windows. Pasadena residents are well acquainted with wildfire smoke traveling from Central and Northern California yearly during fire season and the problems associated with it.
Residue left behind can be hazardous and can result in health problems for your family members and loved ones if not addressed quickly. Contacting a professional team to clean up smoke and soot from your home ensures thorough removal and deodorization. At Tip Top Restoration of Pasadena, we inspect the damages and prepare a plan to get you back to living comfortably in your home. Our team has the equipment and experience to fully remove smoke and soot damage, including:
- Neutralizing odors
- Cleaning built-up ash residue
- Cleaning carpets, fabrics, and upholstery.
- Removing soot, stains, and odors from at-risk items, which includes tile, porcelain, brass, aluminum, chrome, and marble.
Safety is always the first priority in the event of an emergency. There may be unseen hazards in the rubble that may pose the risk of injury or reigniting a flame if disrupted. After a fire is contained, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends following these steps:
- Confirm the area is safe with professionals and do not enter any space until firefighters instruct you to.
- Contact your insurance agent to review your policy’s coverage and confirm with an agent what resources are available to you. Depending on the policy, any or all cleanup or restoration fees may be covered.
- Take care of your loved ones to ensure any injuries are addressed, and those affected have the space to process the traumatic experience.
- Ensure you have access to your records and documents – the experience will be easier for those who keep these organized for easy access.
Time is of the essence to successfully tackle the damages caused by smoke and soot. After a short period of time, smoke can etch glass and tarnish metal, and discolor walls. If left untreated, it can discolor the finishes on kitchen appliances and damage or corrode other materials throughout the property.
After making the call to Tip Top Restoration of Pasadena to clean up and restore your home, there are a few steps you can take to help minimize damages.
- Open windows and doors to air out the house and reduce odors if the temperature permits
- Change the air filter on your furnace if you use forced hot air
- Avoid touching walls, woodwork, upholstery, and other damaged areas. Oils from your skin can make existing damages worse.
- Do not wash the walls, as this risks compounding the soot residue.
Many insurance companies cover fire damage restoration and smoke removal in their policies, but there can be a few key differences in what exactly will be covered. Thorough documentation over the entire process is critical.
- Most policies cover smoke damage under fire damage restoration.
- Most policies cover soot and odor removal
- Structural repairs are usually covered if smoke has caused damage to the structure, such as walls, ceilings, or roofing.
- Personal property protection in policies typically covers the cost of repairing or replacing items damaged by smoke, such as clothing, electronics, and furniture.
- Additional Living Expenses, or ALE, assists homeowners who need temporary living arrangements during the restoration and rebuilding process, and may offer additional financial assistance such as meals, transportation, and other necessary expenses that incur from living away from your home.
Rely on Tip Top Restoration of Pasadena to arrive on site quickly and jump into action. Our teams are available 24/7 to help you restore your home.
